*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 22:33, 18 January 2025 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 03:00, 7 July 2024 (UTC)
Ronald Federico Araújo da Silva (born 7 March 1999) is a Uruguayan professional footballer who plays as a defender for La Liga club Barcelona and the Uruguay national team. Primarily a centre-back, he also plays as a right-back on occasion. Considered one of the best defenders in the world, Araújo is known for his physical dominance, exceptional aerial ability, tactical intelligence, and calmness under pressure.[4][5]
Club career
Rentistas
Born to a Uruguayan father and a Brazilian mother in Rivera, a city near the Brazilian border,[6][7][8] Araújo joined Rentistas from hometown club Huracán de Rivera.[9] He made his senior debut with the former on 24 September 2016, coming on as a late substitute in a 1–0 Segunda División away win against Tacuarembó.
Araújo scored his first senior goal on 9 December 2016, netting the equaliser in a 2–2 home draw against Central Español. He became a regular starter during the 2017 season, and scored a hat-trick in a 3–2 away win over Villa Española on 17 June of that year.[10]
It was at Rentistas that Araújo made the significant switch in position from forward to defender.[11]
On 29 August 2018, Araújo signed a five-year contract with FC Barcelona for a fee of €1.7 million, plus €3.5 million in variables; he was initially assigned to the reserves in Segunda División B.[14] He made his first team – and La Liga – debut on 6 October of the following year, coming off the bench to replace Jean-Clair Todibo in the 73rd minute of a 4–0 home win against Sevilla; however, he was sent off in the 86th minute for fouling Javier Hernández.[15]
For the 2020–21 season, Araújo was promoted to the main squad, being handed the number 4 jersey, which was previously worn by Ivan Rakitić.[16] On 19 December 2020, he scored his first La Liga goal for Barcelona in a 2–2 home draw against Valencia.[17]
On 21 July 2023, Barcelona announced Araújo as the club's third captain.[20] On 4 November 2023, he scored his first goal of the 2023–24 season in the 92nd minute of stoppage time in a 1–0 away win over Real Sociedad.[21]
On 16 April 2024, Araújo received a straight red card for fouling Bradley Barcola in the first-half of Barcelona's Champions League quarter-final second leg match against Paris Saint-Germain which shifted the momentum in PSG's favor, turning the tide of the match despite Barcelona's two goal lead and eventually ended up losing 4–1 on the night, and 6–4 on aggregate.[22][23][24] On 23 January 2025, he extended his contract with the club until 2031.[25]
He made his full international debut eight days later, starting in a 2–4 loss against the latter.[27]
In June 2021, Araújo was included in the final 26-man Uruguay squad for the 2021 Copa América in Brazil, but he didn't feature in any of Uruguay's five games in the tournament while also suffering a muscle injury.[28]
Despite nursing an injury, Araújo was included in the Uruguay squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, having expected a recovery during the knockout phase.[29] However, he did not make an appearance as Uruguay were eliminated in the group stage.[30]
Originally a striker, Araújo's physicality made his youth coaches move him to centre-back at age 17.[32] Primarily a right-footed centre-back, Araújo is also comfortable playing as a right-back, a role in which he has been deployed on occasion to counter skilled wingers. Known for his defensive solidity, Araújo excels in one-on-one duels and has an ability to time his challenges effectively. His pace and athleticism allow him to recover quickly and cover large spaces, making him an invaluable asset in high defensive lines.[33]
Brazilian winger Vinícius Júnior has called him ''The best defender I have ever faced. He's very strong and very good''.[34]
Standing at 1.88 meters, Araújo is dominant in the air, both defensively and offensively. His aerial prowess makes him a constant threat from set pieces, where his ability to outjump opponents has led to crucial goals for both club and country.[35]
Despite his defensive strength, his ball-playing abilities have often times been criticized. During the Champions League quarter-final, Luis Enrique stated that he ordered his men to press Araújo when he had the ball.[36] Araújo's defensive decision-making has alse been lacking as he sometimes lacks positional sense, and the sense of when to intercept and when to be proactive [37]
^Chicken, Mark WhiteContributions from Steven; Mewis, Joe; updated, Callum Rice-Coates last (15 September 2023). "Ranked! The 10 best centre-backs in the world". fourfourtwo.com. Retrieved 13 January 2025.
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