MY ACCOUNT
Barcelona will return to their revered footballing blueprint under Xavi and the Blaugrana faithful should be excited over a “team to dream about”, according to Ronald Araujo.
The Uruguayan was speaking at Camp Nou on Friday after committing his future to the club until the end of the 2025-26 campaign, with the 23-year-old set to play a big part in Barca’s future.
Araujo has emerged as a key player this season, particularly since the arrival of Xavi following the dismissal of Ronald Koeman in October.
Xavi has overseen an upturn in fortunes with Barca climbing from ninth at the time of Koeman’s sacking up to second in LaLiga, despite falling to three consecutive home defeats across all competitions in April.
Defender Araujo was quick to back Blaugrana boss Xavi as he suggested the Spaniard will restore Barca’s principles to help them compete with LaLiga champions-elect Real Madrid, who need just a point to reclaim the title.
“I always work hard,” he said. “I watch videos and talk a lot with Xavi about learning the Barca style. I believe in the project and we will get back up and start winning trophies again.
“I want Barca fans to feel excited about the team, because we are going back to the Barca DNA and we have a solid base of young and veteran players. We have a team to dream about.”
Araujo’s 39 appearances this term can only be bettered by Jordi Alba (40), Gavi (42), Frenkie de Jong (43) and Sergio Busquets (47) among Barca’s outfield players.
The Uruguay international has made 78 appearances in total since joining from Uruguayan side Boston River in August 2018, contributing to 13 clean sheets across those games.
Araujo is keen to continue his progression with the Catalan giants as he looks to learn alongside the evergreen Gerard Pique and experienced Alba.
“I feel such immense joy,” he said of his new contract.
“I have matured a lot. I couldn’t pick any single moment from my time here, all I wanted was to renew my contract and be able to stay at Barca for a long, long time.”
Barca president Joan Laporta also heaped praise on Araujo as he spoke alongside him on Friday.
“We want to thank Araujo for his character and commitment,” Laporta said. “He has opened his heart.
“He is a footballer of the immediate present, but this also helps us to consolidate our short- and long-term plans. He is a very talented player who will help us to build a winning Barca.”
