Barcelona are at the moment within the USA for his or her pre-season camp, the place they are going to be taking part in 4 matches as preparation for the upcoming marketing campaign.
Supervisor Xavi Hernandez has taken alongside 32 gamers with him for the journey as he hopes to get a very good have a look at his squad earlier than the beginning of the brand new season.
The Blaugrana will even doubtless take a vote to call their captains for the 2023/24 season within the coming weeks. Sergi Roberto and Marc-Andre ter Stegen are more likely to retain their roles, however with the departures of Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, two captaincy slots have opened up.
And Ronald Araujo is thought to be one of many strongest contenders for the function, having established himself because the defensive chief of the crew over the previous couple of campaigns.
Speaking about the potential for him changing into the captain for the upcoming season, the Uruguayan worldwide mentioned (h/t Mundo Deportivo):
“I think about myself a pacesetter, I really feel I’m an necessary participant with character, whether or not I put on the armband or not, I’m a born chief and that’s the way in which it’s going to remain. I really feel that I’m a pacesetter due to the way in which I’m and I’ll proceed to be one.”
Araujo signed a brand new contract with Barcelona final 12 months, however round 14 months later, his new deal is but to be registered with La Liga. Nonetheless, the 24-year-old admitted that he’s not involved about it and trusts the membership to maintain the matter.
“I’m very calm. I made it clear that every one I needed was to remain right here, it’s as much as the membership, I’ve to focus on getting higher,” he mentioned.
Speaking concerning the message Xavi has despatched out to the squad forward of the brand new marketing campaign, Araujo mentioned: “It’s about having a very good pre-season, working to enhance on final season, particularly in Europe, to go far in all competitions. Gamers of nice high quality are arriving who will assist the crew to enhance, they are going to carry so much to the crew.”
On the Catalans’ probabilities within the Champions League, he added: “We’ve got to take it step-by-step, be humble and know the place we come from. We’re going to battle for the Champions League, as a result of it’s our important goal, however with humility.”
Talking of latest signings, Araujo additionally talked about Inigo Martinez and the added competitors within the defensive unit, saying: “Everyone knows Iñigo and his high quality, something that provides to the crew is sweet.”
Araujo had been certainly one of a number of Barcelona gamers who had publicly expressed their want to see Lionel Messi again on the membership this summer time. Nonetheless, that didn’t come to be because the Argentine signed for Inter Miami as a substitute.
When requested about it, the Uruguayan mentioned: “I didn’t see the presentation. Logically I needed him to return, like all followers do, however he determined to go to an incredible membership. He’s effectively and joyful along with his household, which is a very powerful factor, I want him all one of the best.”
On the subject of Barcelona’s arch-rivals Actual Madrid, Araujo mentioned: “They’re an incredible crew, they’ve at all times proven it, they’ve been displaying it all through their historical past. They’re going to place up a battle, however we have now to deal with our personal, we have now to compete.”
Lately, Barça president Joan Laporta claimed that Barcelona have a a lot better squad than that of Actual Madrid, an opinion that was echoed by former striker Hristo Stoichkov.
When requested for his ideas on the matter, Araujo mentioned: “It’s not for me to say, we have now to show it on the pitch.”
