Araújo is fundamental for Xavi - Barcelona struggle in the league when he doesn't play

The dreaded international football virus has taken its toll on FC Barcelona this time around, as Araújo (23), Jules Koundé (23), Memphis Depay (28) and Frenkie de Jong (25) have all returned from their respective national team commitments injured, as has Héctor Bellerín (27), who was injured in training with the Culés.

Of all of them, Catalan coach Xavi Hernández (42) is likely to be particularly concerned about the South American's absence, as one statistic proves he is a key player for Barça.

With Araújo sidelined, his team's record in LaLiga Santander since the start of the 2020/21 season could not be worse and, of 22 games played, they have won just nine, drawn five and lost in eight of them - a 36.4% loss rate. This is something Barça cannot afford in a league in which it is expected to need more than 90 points to beat Real Madrid, the only team in the competition that has won all its matches to date.

For comparison, with the Uruguayan when in action for his side has won 41 of the 60 matches in which he has been part of the team, with 13 draws and only six defeats - 10% of the total. This means that the Azulgranas lose more than three times as many matches when Araújo does not play. 

Araújo, due to the rupture of the adductor longus tendon in his right leg that occurred in the match between Uruguay and Iran last Friday, September 23rd, underwent surgery on Wednesday in Helsinki (Finland) and is expected to be out for about two and a half months. As a result, he is a serious doubt to play with his national team in the World Cup in Qatar.