FC Barcelona has a defense packed with top players who want to play and win everything. In this regard, Ronald Araujo, after the match against Daegu FC, made a series of statements that demonstrate his determination to succeed and become an important player for the Blaugrana team for the 2025/26 season.
Although in January he was one step away from closing his departure to Juventus, the '4' now shows a twist in his position and is firm in his desire to be part of the Catalan team. Thus, the Uruguayan central defender has ruled out any move and is fully focused on consolidating himself in the culé team.
«Of course I'm going to continue, for sure. I'm very happy in Barcelona. They still haven't seen the best Ronald, and that's the one that's going to come in these years,» he said at a press conference.
In this way, the 26-year-old defender leaves behind the 2024/25 season, where he was far from his best level, being singled out in several matches, but especially in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-finals against Inter Milan, where Francesco Acerbi won a body-to-body and scored the goal for 6-6 on aggregate.
Araujo, confident for the 25/26 season
The native player from Rivera also stated that he feels good psychologically, after in the past year he also had physical problems, unlike now, in pre-season, he saw minutes in the three Barça matches and did not present any injury.
«This year I am very motivated because mentally I have a lot of confidence. Last year I lost it a bit with the issue of the injury, but I have felt very good during the pre-season. I performed very well, I felt comfortable, more agile and with more confidence,» Araujo added.
It is worth remembering that, although the Uruguayan does not start as an undisputed starter, he is a profile that coach Hansi Flick values very well for his physical power and ability to stop fast players.
The '4' believes that he will have greater prominence than last season, in which he saw action for 1,560 minutes in 25 matches, not like the 23/24 season, where he played 3,024' in 37 matches with Barça.
The fight for a place in the defensive zone is 'on fire'
At the moment, the Barcelona team has up to five central defenders. Íñigo Martínez and Pau Cubarsí are untouchable for the German coach, while Andreas Christensen, Araujo and Eric García complete the defensive quintet.
It remains to be seen if the player from Martorell ends up being the alternative to Jules Koundé on the right side. Although everything already points to that being the case, therefore, Barça would have four central defenders of the highest level, considering that the Dane wants to play the new season at the Blaugrana club and is not interested in changing his mind.