Diseño sin título   2025 01 30T002233.476

FC Barcelona 2-2 Atalanta

Araujo scores his first Champions League goal and says he wishes for "many years" as a Barça player

Published:30/01/2025 - 00:26h

Updated:30/01/2025 - 08:01h

The Uruguayan defender put the Catalans ahead in the 72nd minute, but Pasalic ended up equalising on the scoreboard shortly after

Calendar of FC Barcelona

Ronald Araujo is "very happy" about his contract renewal with FC Barcelona until 2031. The Uruguayan attended the post-match interview after a match in which the Catalans drew against Atalanta and let the top spot slip away, which PSV had left them on a plate by beating Liverpool (3-2). However, the defender was satisfied with the "good" Champions League phase that the Catalan club has had. Thus, the Blaugrana team will play as second-placed team in the round of 16.

"It was a very nice match for the people who watch it. We wanted first place, but it wasn't possible. I'm happy because we had a good first Champions League phase," said the Uruguayan in statements to Movistar Liga de Campeones. Likewise, he regretted having let the opportunity slip away: "We were very close." However, the defender, in addition to the joy that the collective performance brought him throughout the first period, can be proud, as he scored the second goal for Barça, his first in the top European club competition. Ronald took 19 matches to manage to send the ball into the back of the net for the first time.

He was also asked if FC Barcelona is the favourite to lift the 'orejona' on May 31, 2025 in Munich. Despite the happiness, Araujo did not want to be greedy: "We have a great team, but we have to be humble and take it game by game." Finally, regarding the recent renewal of his contract with the Blaugrana team until 2031, the centre-back admitted to being "very happy" and did not hesitate to predict a long-lasting union: "If it depends on me, I'm sure I'll be here for many years," he concluded.