Ronaldo Araujo has dispelled rumors linking him with a departure from Barcelona, insisting that he is “happy” at the Catalan club. With the summer transfer window approaching, reports have surfaced that manager Hansi Flick has submitted a list of six players he doesn’t want to keep for the next season, and unfortunately, the Uruguayan defender’s name is on that list.
Araujo initially joined Barcelona’s reserve team, Barcelona B, in 2018 before being promoted to the senior team in 2020. Amid speculation about a potential exit from Barcelona, Araujo recently addressed his future, reassuring the public of his commitment to the club and reminding everyone that he is under contract until 2031. He told the media (via GOAL):
Araujo faces significant competition for his position under Hansi Flick’s plans. He has to contend with the likes of Eric Garcia, Inigo Martinez, Andreas Christensen, and Pau Cubarsi. With club football on hiatus, the 26-year-old will shift his focus to international duty as Uruguay is set to face Paraguay and Venezuela next month in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
While Ronald Araujo was part of the Barcelona team that won the domestic treble this season, he didn’t quite have a standout campaign as an individual. His ongoing fitness issues caused him to miss several games, and even when he did play, he struggled to impress in some matches, with his performances facing criticism, especially during the second leg of the Champions League semifinal against Inter Milan.
Speaking about his injuries, he noted that not only was his game time affected, but also his confidence.
Araujo made 25 appearances across competitions for Barcelona last season.
An ardent Chelsea fan, Ezekiel’s journey as a football fan began in his childhood, witnessing Ronaldinho dazzle with his skills. His interest in the beautiful game deepened after Nigeria were knocked out of the 2010 FIFA World Cup; he was impressed with the Super Eagles’ fighting spirit in their 2-2 Group B draw against South Korea. Some other World Cup matches which have left a deep impact on him were Belgium’s incredible comeback against Japan in the round of 16 of the 2018 version and the 2022 final.
Lionel Messi is the one true GOAT for Ezekiel and he also follows the Major League Soccer and the Saudi Pro League owing to him and Cristiano Ronaldo. When not writing, he spends his free time deepening his SEO knowledge and watching skits.
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