Barcelona are currently in the USA for their pre-season camp, where they will be playing four matches as ρɾєρɑɾɑtion for the upcoming campaign.
Manager Xavi Hernandez has taken along 32 players with him for the trip as he hopes to get a good look at his squad before the start of the new season.
TheBlaugranawill also likely take a vote to name their captains for the 2023/24 season in the coming weeks. Sergi Roberto and Marc-Andre ter Stegen are likely to retain their roles, but with the departures of Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, two captaincy slots have opened up.
And Ronald Araujo is regarded asone of the strongest contєɴԀers for the role, having established himself as the defensive leader of the team over the past couple of campaigns.
Talking about the possibility of him becoming the captain for the upcoming season, the Uruguayan international said (h/tMundo Deportivo):
“I consider myself a leader, I feel I’m an important player with character, whether I wear the armband or not, I’m a born leader and that’s the way it’s going to stay. I feel that I am a leader because of the way I am and I will continue to be one.”
Araujo signed a new contract withBarcelonalast year, but around 14 months later, his new Ԁєɑł is yet to be registered with La Liga. However, the 24-year-old admitted that he is not concerned about it and trusts the club to take care of the matter.
“I’m very calm. I made it clear that all I wanted was to stay here, it’s up to the club, I have to concentrate on getting better,”he said.
Talking about the мєȿȿɑɢє Xavi has sent out to the squad ahead of the new campaign, Araujo said:”It’s about having a good pre-season, working to improve on last season, especially in Europe, to go far in all competitions. Players of great quality are arriving who will help the team to improve, they will bring a lot to the team.”
On the Catalans’ chances in the Champions League, he added:”We have to take it step by step, be humble and know where we come from. We are going to fight for the Champions League, because it is our main objective, but with humility.”
Speaking of new signings, Araujo also talked about Inigo Martinez and the added competition in the defensive unit, saying:”We all know Iñigo and his quality, anything that adds to the team is good.”
Araujo had been one of severalBarcelonaplayers who had publicly expressed their wish to see Lionel Messi back at the club this summer. However, that did not come to be as the Argentine signed for Inter Miami instead.
When asked about it, the Uruguayan said:”I didn’t see the presentation. Logically I wanted him to come, like all fɑɴȿ do, but he decided to go to a great club. He is well and happy with his family, which is the most important thing, I wish him all the best.”
On the topic of Barcelona’s arch-rivals Real Madrid, Araujo said:”They are a great team, they have always shown it, they have been showing it thɾօυɢҺout their history. They’re going to put up a fight, but we have to focus on our own, we have to compete.”
Recently,Barçapresident Joan Laporta claimed thatBarcelonahave a much better squad than that of Real Madrid, an opinion that wasechoed by former striker Hristo Stoichkov.
When asked for his thoughts on the matter, Araujo said:”It’s not for me to say, we have to prove it on the pitch.”
