Barcelona kicked off a new week of preseason training at Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper with Ronald Araújo’s return after his World Cup duties.
What happened in training?
The Uruguayan defender rejoined the squad after featuring for Uruguay at the World Cup. Araújo had already returned last Monday for medical tests on the calf injury that ruled him out of the tournament. He trained separately during the morning session but is now available for full team drills.
Xavi Espart also returned after a two-day break following his UEFA European Under-19 Championship campaign with Spain. The 19-year-old midfielder logged minutes in the continental tournament and is now back in the first-team fold.
Meanwhile, Marc ter Stegen continued working under Hansi Flick while awaiting the completion of his expected loan move to Ajax. The 34-year-old German goalkeeper remains at the club’s training ground as his future outside Camp Nou is finalized.
The center-back competition
Araújo arrives amid stiff competition in central defense. Pau Cubarsí, Gerard Martín, Eric García and Andreas Christensen -freshly renewed- are all vying for a starting berth. The Uruguayan must regain match fitness to stake a claim in a defensive block that aims to solidify itself.
Fermín López, however, was absent. The midfielder, who spent last week in individual rehab for a fractured fifth metatarsal in his right foot, attended the World Cup final in person and has now returned to Barcelona to continue his recovery.
Week schedule ahead
Barcelona faces an intense week with double sessions on Wednesday and Friday. Single workouts are scheduled for Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, while Sunday is a rest day ahead of the trip to England. The preseason camp at St. George’s Park runs from July 27 through August 3, in preparation for the LaLiga opener.
