Araujo taken in ambulance after sickening clash of heads with Barcelona's Gavi

Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo was taken off the pitch in an ambulance during their victory over Celta Vigo and rushed to hospital.

The Uruguayan was involved in a sickening clash of heads with teammate Gavi in the 62 minute. The two players went to challenge for a looping ball and accidentally collided. Araujo initially stayed on his feet, running back to recover before suddenly dropping down to the turf in a worrying incident for the 23-year-old.

At that stage, Barcelona were leading 3-1 thanks to a goal from Memphis Depay and two from ex-Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Celta's talisman, Iago Aspas, pulled one back in the second half, but their hopes of salvaging something at the Camp Nou were dashed when Jeison Murillo was sent off.

While the game went on with 11 minutes of added time, the thoughts of all watching on were with Araujo, who has made himself a staple of the Blaugrana's back line under Xavi Hernandez. The nine-capped Uruguay international has made 80 senior appearances for Barca after rising through the acclaimed La Masia academy setup.

Araujo was recently been linked with a transfer to Manchester United but has explained why his intention is to stay at Barcelona for years to come, having put pen to paper on a fresh contract last month, keeping him in Catalonia until 2026.

Speaking to Sport about his new deal, which includes a staggering €1billion (£840million) release clause, he said: "That has always been my wish. Renewal brings me a huge happiness. I am in the best club in the world and it is the reward for a job well done. The club's confidence in me means I'm doing things right.

"My whole family was there [when I signed] and I was moved. We have been through a lot. My parents had to sacrifice a lot for me to achieve my dream of being a footballer. I hope I still have ten or fifteen years left in my career, but now I have fulfilled my first dream, being at the best club in the world."

Araujo added during his presentation at the Camp Nou: "I always work hard. I watch videos and talk a lot with Xavi about learning the Barca style. I believe in the project and we will get back up and start winning trophies again. I want Barca fans to feel excited about the team, because we are going back to the Barca DNA and we have a solid base of young and veteran players. We have a team to dream about."

President Joan Laporta also heaped praise on him and declared: "We want to thank Araujo for his character and commitment. He has opened his heart. He is a footballer of the immediate present, but this also helps us to consolidate our short- and long-term plans. He is a very talented player who will help us to build a winning Barca."