Barcelona squad update: De Jong and Araujo will miss the clash with Atletico Madrid

Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong will miss his team’s La Liga match with Atletico Madrid on Tuesday due to illness.

The league leaders said in a statement that the Dutchman had a ‘fever’, while coach Hansi Flick explained on Monday that Uruguayan centre-back Ronald Araujo would miss the match due to a ‘private situation’.

Araujo was sent off after Barcelona’s 3-0 Champions League defeat to Chelsea last week and Spanish media have reported that he has asked for a «mental health break».

READ ALSO | Vinicius must be fully fit for Brazil’s 2026 World Cup selection: Ancelotti

“Ronald is not ready at the moment,” Flick told reporters on Monday.

«It’s a private situation. That’s all I want to say. Please respect this as well.»

Both De Jong and Araujo missed Saturday’s league win over Alaves, the former due to a family problem and the latter due to a stomach flu, Barcelona had said.

The Catalans are also without Fermin Lopez and the long-term absentees Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Gavi.

Reigning champions Barcelona are three points ahead of fourth-placed Atletico before the teams meet at Camp Nou.

Published on December 2, 2025