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

Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo was taken off the pitch in an ambulance during their match against 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 clashed heads. 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, 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 move to Manchester United but has explained why his intention is to stay at Barcelona, having put pen to paper on a fresh four-year contract last month.

Speaking to Sport about his new deal, which also 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