History Repating Itself?

Barcelona captain Ronald Araújo is on the brink of leaving FC Barcelona for a move at Juventus this transfer window. This potential transfers gives us flashbacks of a similar transfer of a Barcelona captain Rafa Marquez.

Credits: AKGfootball

Araújo: His situation at the club

Ronald Araújo has emerged from La Masia as Barcelona’s one of the most dependable defenders of all time. He is a natural leader and his journey at the club shows it all. His rise from a promising young talent to wearing the captain’s armband has been an achievement of life for his football career. Araújo’s physicality, his composure, and his undisputed ability to read the game have made him one of the world’s best.

The only problem Araújo has is being injury-prone. Araújo has missed over 80 games for club and country from 2019/20-2024-. Injuries are the only hindrance to his performance and mental health on and off the field. Ronald Araujo is finally back in the club after being sidelined for months due to injury.

During his recovery, Barcelona and Flick found themselves with a strong defensive duo of Pau Cubarsí and Iñigo Martínez. This defensive duo is a blend of youth and experience, this has been showcased this season on many occasions. Araújo finds himself in a difficult situation to find his place back in the starting XI, this is one of the reasons to consider the Italy move.

Rafa Márquez : A similar Situation

Barcelona brought Rafa Márquez to the club in 2003, the Mexican quickly established himself at the club and became one of the most promising faces of the club’s defense. He was a composed and versatile figure and played a vital role during Barcelona’s golden era. He was given the captain’s armband for Barcelona due to his leadership ability. Rafa Márquez won 2 Champions League, 4 La Liga trophies, and 1 European Super Cup.

Rafa Márquez suffered an injury during Pep Guardiola’s regen in 2008-09, during Rafa’s recovery Barcelona saw an evolution of one of the best defensive duos of Carles Puyol and

Gerard Piqué. This duo was similar to the duo seen currently. Both the Spaniards went on to establish a new era at the club. After Rafa’s recovery, he wasn’t able to fight for his spot and decided to leave the club.

Can Cubarsí and Iñigo Martínez establish a new era?

Both Cubarsí and Iñigo Martínez are a mix of experience and youth energy, both Spaniards are in great form under Flick and executing everything on the pitch. I believe these both can prove themselves and establish a new era. Carles Puyol and Gerard Piqué’s era was filled with great moments and were solid at their time. Puyol himself was a leader and transferred his experience and knowledge to Piqué, the same can be done by Cubarsí and Iñigo.