Copa del Rey
Ronald Araujo en la rueda de prensa previa al duelo entre el FC Barcelona y el Real Madrid en la Copa del Rey

PRESS CONFERENCE

Ronald Araujo warns before the Cup final against Madrid: "We will be protagonists and we will go for the title"

Published:25/04/2025 - 20:47h

Updated:25/04/2025 - 20:47h

Ronald Araujo heated up the final against Real Madrid: he promised protagonism, praised the youngsters and avoided arbitration controversies

Calendar of FC Barcelona

Ronald Araujo appeared in the press conference prior to the expected duel between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid for the final of the Copa del Rey 2024-25. As soon as he started, the Uruguayan defender was asked about Barça's chances of achieving the treble this season, an objective that would get even closer if they manage to become champions of this competition. 

"The team is doing very well, in good dynamics. We are aware of what we are capable of achieving, the coach tells us that we have to go game by game. It is the mentality that has brought us here."

Araujo: Keys to Barcelona vs. Real Madrid in the Cup final

The '4' culé also referred specifically to the final against Real Madrid, highlighting the difficulty of the match: "It will be a totally different match from the ones we have played this season. We will implement our football, we will be protagonists and we will go for the title."

Likewise, the Uruguayan stressed the importance of conquering an award against the greatest rival. "Winning a title is always important, especially when you do it against your biggest rival. If it doesn't happen, we will continue fighting: we are first in the League and in the semi-finals of the Champions League. We are going for everything," he warned.

In addition, as Hansi Flick did, Ronald Araujo avoided talking about favoritism: "We play against Madrid, it is a great team. It will be a very difficult match, we take it with humility. We want the title. The team is more about having fun and training than thinking about the treble, we are very calm."

"It will be a very difficult match, we take it with humility. We want the title"

Araujo: "Now I am more humble"

The central defender was also questioned about that remembered euphoric phrase of the "new era" that he pronounced after winning the Super Cup in 2023, which did not have the expected effect in terms of subsequent trophies. "I am more humble. It will not come out of my mouth to say that we are the best team in the world. Things are going well for us, also looking to the future. The club deserves it and our people too," he emphasized.

Araujo also talked about his role as captain and the team's performance this season: "I have had a more motivational role, to guide in this good dynamic that we have. We have been doing things very well."

Added to this, regarding how he imagined the course, he confessed: "If they told me this in August, of course I wouldn't believe it. It is very nice, we are happy with it. The team deserves it, our people too, they have gone through a thousand things these years. The people of the club, we must recognize the work done. We deserve it."

"The team deserves it, our people too, they have gone through a thousand things these years. The people of the club, we must recognize the work done"

The 'charrúa', available as left back

One of the surprises was his willingness to play as a left back if the situation requires it. "I am prepared for everything. I already did it once against Mallorca in the League. The coach knows where I am most comfortable, but I will do what he asks me and I will always give my best," he pointed out.

Praise for the youngsters of La Masia

The defender did not skimp on praise for the youngsters of FC Barcelona. "They surprise me because they have an incredible mentality and they don't have a final tomorrow. Always, since they were little, already in La Masia. It is incredible the work they do, they arrive up without fear. The final I played was without an audience. Happy and motivated by it. Hopefully we can win in front of our people," he added.

Without arbitration controversies: "We must respect them"

About the arbitration controversy prior to the Clásico, generated by Real Madrid and their discontent with the referees, Ronald Araujo was blunt: "I didn't see it, but they told me they could ask me. We don't talk about that in the team. Being a referee is a very difficult profession, you have to understand and respect them."

Maximum respect to Real Madrid

Finally, Araujo briefly analyzed the rival: "It is a great team, with a great coach, who has won what he has won for what he is. We have to respect them."

And he concluded with a clear message: "They are a great team, they have great players in all the lines, decisive. We will wait until tomorrow to see how they approach the match, but we will be faithful to our style."

Today highlights