Ronald Araujo’s future at Barcelona hangs in the balance. The Uruguayan was once an undisputed starter for the Blaugrana, but now the center-back finds himself benched, error-prone, and losing market value. Let’s dissect Araujo’s dramatic fall from grace and what comes next.
How One Season Turned a Fan Favorite Into a Liability
Football is funny sometimes. If you asked most fans one season ago about Araujo’s future, most would have laughed. That’s because the Uruguayan was hailed as Barcelona’s next defensive leader for at least a decade. Ever since Araujo joined Barcelona, he has been a defensive rock: fast, aggressive, and very reliable.
But the 2024/25 season proved to be a nightmare for the La Masia defender. After a massive error in the 23/24 UCL campaign, the 26-year-old once again made some costly UCL mistakes against Inter Milan. Also, he has not even been Flick’s first choice of defence, and has been one down the pecking order. Culers once adored his warrior mentality, but is he slowly becoming a liability?
The Truth Behind Araujo’s €65M Clause
Ronald Araujo renewed with Barcelona back in January, after all those Juventus rumors. However, when Araujo renewed, his release clause was set at only €65M. Many fans questioned Deco and the Barcelona authorities on this decision. Why so low for a top defender?
However, Deco’s smart move can now be understood. Araujo’s market has heavily crashed in the past 6 months. The Uruguayan is worth around €35M, and his release clause (which was deemed low in January), seems like a good safety net now. Deco’s move might have saved Barca from a bigger loss. However, it still won’t solve Araujo’s fading relevance.
Flick’s Message Is Clear: Barca’s Tough Decision With Araujo
Hansi Flick’s lineup choices have emphatically stated that Araujo is no longer a starter. Now, it could be due to his UCL blunders, as well as the exponential rise of Cubarsi and Martinez. The injuries that impacted his form could also be a big reason. Whatever the case, Araujo has failed to adapt to Hansi Flick’s system. This demotion feels permanent.
Now Barca must decide. The Catalans could have a cash-in now (if anyone meets the clause) or trust the player. Araujo is 26, at his absolute peak, and has lots of years under his belt. But his confidence looks shot. With all the financial pressure and the need to make space for players like Nico Williams, Barcelona might be looking for new customers. However, if Araujo makes a comeback in another club (like Dembele), it will sting a lot—a lose-lose situation.
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