Despite Barcelona recently extending Ronald Araújo's contract until 2031, the Uruguayan defender's future at the club remains uncertain under manager Hansi Flick's tactical system.
The 25-year-old defender was notably absent from Barcelona's recent 7-1 victory over Valencia, and it wasn't for rest. His performance in the Champions League match against Benfica last week exposed significant weaknesses, including poor positioning, problematic passing under pressure, and an own goal that left his team vulnerable.
The contract extension came as Barcelona moved swiftly to prevent Araújo from joining Juventus in the current transfer window - his second flirtation with a major European rival after Bayern Munich's interest last year. However, manager Flick immediately sent a clear message that a new contract doesn't guarantee a starting position.
Araújo's background is deeply rooted in football, coming from a family where both grandmothers and his mother played organized soccer in Brazil and Uruguay. While he possesses impressive athletic qualities - competitive spirit, aerial ability, tackling prowess, and speed - his technical skills have consistently been a concern.
This weakness was notably exploited by PSG's Luis Enrique in last season's Champions League quarterfinal. In a tactical revelation from a documentary, Enrique specifically targeted Araújo, instructing his players: "This gentleman is Araújo. A top-level footballer, no question, but the Barça player with the most problems." This strategy proved effective when Araújo received a red card, contributing to Barcelona's elimination from the competition.
Under Flick's high-risk defensive system, which positions the back four approximately 50 meters from their goal line, Araújo's struggles have intensified. While his teammates had time to adapt to these tactical demands during preseason, Araújo was sidelined with injury, missing crucial adaptation time.
The defender himself has acknowledged these challenges. In a previous interview, he admitted to struggling with Barcelona's unique philosophy, saying, "Even when I managed to understand, it was like the ball was coming at me at almost 200 km/h!"
With Barcelona reportedly pursuing Bayer Leverkusen's Jonathan Tah, and considering Araújo's ongoing tactical adaptation challenges, a summer transfer to either Juventus or Bayern Munich remains a possibility despite the contract extension. For now, Araújo faces the task of mastering Flick's high-stakes defensive system while potentially seeing reduced playing time in favor of the Pau Cubarsí-Martínez partnership.
