Ronald Araujo: "There's no need to be stupid, I've been injured for six months..."

Ronald Araujo is in no hurry to play again. He knows his past and understands his situation. He made this clear to the newspaper SPORT in an exclusive interview. In the talk, held at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper, the defender has discussed various topics. Among them, he has reviewed his current situation, in which he has played three consecutive games on the bench, and his adaptation to the demands of Hansi Flick and the new system, with the physical and tactical work that this entails.

This season, the Uruguayan defender is facing something unusual for him. The reality is that, since he managed to establish himself as a starter at FC Barcelona, ​​he had never seen his position in danger. With his injury to the hamstring of his right leg on July 6 in the quarter-finals of the Copa América that he played with Uruguay against Brazil, Cubarsí and Iñigo have taken the lead. The Basque occupies the left side and the youth player the right, taking the place of Rivera's player.

The move from Xavi to Hansi Flick

"There was a lot of expectation with the arrival of Hansi because, in reality, the team did not change that much compared to last year, but I think that what he wants and what he implemented is reflected. The team has a different face... it's a bit of everything. The way of working in general at the club has also changed, not only with the coach. We are fine, but there is still work to be done and we have to continue," explained Araujo about the change of coach. The Uruguayan was hurt by the departure of the player from Egar in his day, because he was the one who bet on him, but he is committed to the German.

Among the implementations of the German coach is a new physical work. Pedri already spoke about this topic at the beginning of the season. Now, it is Ronald who brings his vision: "Many things have changed in the club that have made this flow. I am talking about the physical level, about physiotherapists... for us it is key to have almost all the players available because you have a competitive team. A great job was done that is reflected. You see that the team runs, that we are all well except for the two serious injuries we had... that is important to be able to win titles," he explained along the same lines as the Canary Islander in his day.

Another of the hallmarks of Flick is the advanced defence. The culé defence is positioned on the dividing line of the two areas of the field when it comes to having the ball. That entails many risks. Araujo had never played like this, but he likes it: "I've never played like this, and I don't think almost anyone here has. I watch a lot of football and the only team that does something similar is Liverpool, but not as risky as us. It's details, they're seconds, you have to do it well organised and of course it's the first time that we've worked in this way. That philosophy has given us results."

"We train it every day. It also requires a little bit of time. A pre-season gives you that ability to learn it. Maybe in the first games we didn't do it like we do now. Time gives you the 'feeling'... that's what I also believe with myself. Time will give you all this. If it gives results, you have to keep betting on it," he added.

On his substitutions

The Uruguayan defender was not able to make his debut with FC Barcelona until 2025. He was ready to return in December, but the games against Leganés and Atlético de Madrid were complicated, preventing a comfortable context for his return. After being able to compete normally during the month of January, he injured his ankle in February. Right now, he has not played for three consecutive games. Despite this, he does not despair, but rather knows his history with injuries and understands that he must be patient.

When asked about this context, he showed that he is not upset: "In the end, a winning team has to have great players. Not just 11, but more. If you look at the bench now you see that there are good players and I, personally, understand that I have been out for almost six months. You don't have to be stupid, you have to go little by little and when the manager considers that it is time to come in... I am happy, it doesn't bother me because I understand where I am coming from. When I am at one hundred percent, the manager already knows what I can give."

Thus, Ronald Araujo has made it clear that he is eager to succeed dressed in Blaugrana. He recently renewed his contract until 2031, something he says he has always wanted: "I was calm because I was convinced, I am, of what I wanted, which was to stay. Then there are factors that we were negotiating in the contract with the club, but that is normal. You come from being away for six months, you come back again. But I always had it very clear. And it was seen in how I entered the Super Cup final," he concluded. He is ready to give it his all on the pitch defending the Barça shield.