Ronald Araujo, in love with Barcelona and Xavi's project
The Uruguayan centre-back has a deal which expires in 2023 and there are plenty of interested clubs
“Ronald Araujo is probably the player who has improved most since we arrived,” said Xavi a couple of weeks ago, surprisingly. It’s quite evident that the Uruguayan hasn’t stopped growing and is on route to becoming a top level defender. We say defender not centre-back, because even though that’s his natural position, its clear he is also capable of playing at right back as he did against Vinicius in the Clasico, also scoring from a corner.
As we have said in SPORT, it shows Barcelona they should make an economic effort to keep him, with his deal expiring in 2023. For now there is no fear, but if weeks pass, that could end up creeping in. Ronald and his agents consider they deserve more than is being put forward.
Renewal aside, the player is enjoying himself with Barcelona. He is happy and content with his role under Xavi. He is improving a lot as a player. In a few months he’s taken big steps forward in terms of bringing the ball out and defending in opposition territory.
He likes his life in Barcelona a lot. When he has holidays he usually heads to Rivera, where his family and friends are. He formed at Huracan and he often takes Barca merch there for the kids, who loves his visits.
A few thousand kilometres from his home (his parents still live there and one of his brothers, Hurracan’s goalkeeper), Ronald has found peace. The Barcelona climate, the food. He’s happy in the Catalan capital where he’s laying down roots. He became a father recently along with his partner, Abigail Olivera. They had a girl.
It’s for that the absolute priority of the Uruguayan is to stay, although not just for any price. There are offers from England that are much bigger.
