​Barcelona captain Ronald Araujo is set to report for pre-season training on July 20, exactly one week after the squad officially began preparations for the 2026/27 campaign. Reports from Cadena SER, with a nod to Carpetas FCB, indicate that the Uruguayan centre-back has been granted extended leave following his duties at the FIFA World Cup but will join Hansi Flick’s group well ahead of the club’s forthcoming tour. This update comes as Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper hummed with activity on July 13, the official kickoff for the new season. Players not involved in international tournaments arrived this morning for routine medical examinations and physical assessments as part of the return-to-work process.
Manager Hansi Flick, beginning his third season in charge, was in attendance to supervise the return of the available squad members. The initial day focused on health checks, while on-pitch training is planned to commence on July 14, with a strong emphasis on physical conditioning designed to build fitness levels ahead of the competitive schedule. Araujo’s delayed return follows standard protocol for players who participated in the World Cup. The defender, who was part of the Uruguay squad eliminated by Spain in late June, did not feature at the tournament due to a calf injury. He will now take a mandatory rest period before resuming pre-season training on July 20.
Araujo presented himself at Ciutat Esportiva today, with his appearance at the club’s training facilities primarily to have his calf injury assessed by the medical staff and to extend a warm welcome to his teammates, particularly as a number of youth players were called up on the day. Despite ongoing speculation about a potential high-profile exit intended to raise funds for the club, Araujo maintains his commitment to the project and has not expressed any intention to leave Barcelona at this stage.
The timing of Araujo’s return aligns perfectly with the team’s travel plans. He will have a full week to reintegrate before the squad departs for St. George’s Park in England on July 27, where the team will undertake an intensive training camp. While it remains unlikely that Araujo will feature in the opening behind-closed-doors friendly against CE Europa on July 24, he could be ready to play a pivotal role in the following friendly against Birmingham City on July 31, provided his condition allows. This schedule places Araujo in a good position to contribute as Barcelona fine-tunes its preparations for the 2026/27 campaign, with fitness tests and conditioning sessions designed to restore peak form after the World Cup break. The club’s broader preseason plan includes medical clearances, tactical briefings, and match preparations across a demanding slate of fixtures that will test Flick’s squad as they aim to ramp up for domestic and European competition. In the lead-up to the tour and the season opener, Barcelona’s coaching staff will focus on integrating Araujo back into team drills, reinforcing defensive organization, and sharpening on-pitch chemistry with teammates across the squad. This approach will help ensure the captain returns to full match readiness in time to contribute to Barcelona’s objectives for the new season.