Araujo: 'Everything is changing for the better'

After signing a new contract, Barça centre back Ronald Araujo has been talking to the Mundo Deportivo and Sport newspapers. Here is a selection of what the Uruguayan had to say:

New contract

"I am very happy because it’s the result of a lot of work. There was a lot of talk, but most of that was on the outside. My intention was always to say here and that’s what I told my agent. The negotiations went well. It was all sorted out in just two meetings.”

“I got several offers from big teams. But I always said I wanted to stay here and wanted a quick settlement.”

Tough start

"I would never have got here without my parents. Or my grandmother either, who is no longer with us. She took me to training when my parents couldn’t. We are a humble family. Now I have a contract with Nike, but when I started out, my mother had to pay for my boots on hire purchase just so I could play.”

Happy family

"I am very happy here and my family are happy in Barcelona. And I believe in what we are doing as a team. Things are being done properly."

“It’s awesome to see my family here. We went through so much when we were small. My parents worked so hard. They did so much so I could play and come to Barça. What I am doing, thanks be to God, is spectacularly emotional. Everything we are experiencing after so many sacrifices. Now we are reaping the benefits.”

Front to back

In Montevideo, Sergio Cabrera was a very important coach for me. Curiously, his son Leandro Cabrera is now at Espanyol. He told me that if I continued playing up front, I’d just be an ordinary player, but if I played at the back, I’d be someone special and could play in the elite. And he was right.”

Big decision

"I was at a small club. I was hoping to go to one of the big clubs in Uruguay or elsewhere in South America. I’d have settled for that. But one Thursday when I was getting ready for a game with Peñarol, my agent called me from Europe and told me to come quick, without telling me where. The Sunday after, I flew to Madrid. I had some big offers, but I was also told that Barça wanted me for their reserves. And Barça is Barça. It was the best decision I could make at that time.”

Arrival at Barça

"I came from a different style. At Barça there’s a unique philosophy, it’s also different to other European teams. We did exercises in small spaces with 20 people. I got the ball three times and lost it three times. I got so frustrated. I knew that I could learn if I worked hard. I stayed behind after training to work on passing and control, passing and control… If we trained in the morning I’d come back in the afternoon and train on my own."

"I’m very stubborn and I like to be self-critical. Sometimes I go too far, but if I’m in the first team now, it’s because of that. I like watching videos and analysing them to see what I get right and wrong. And I talk to the coaches, who guide me with what’s hard.”

Future captain

"I’m not working to become captain. If the chance comes up in the future, great, that would be awesome, but things come to me naturally. I like being like that, and encouraging my team-mates on and off the pitch.”

Changes at the club

"I believe in this club a lot. It’s the best in the world. This is a time of changes, of financial hardships, but I’m sure we’ll lift ourselves out of this. We’ll do big things with the team, the young players, changes at the top. Everything is changing for the better.”

Team form

"We are OK now even though the season is not ending the way we wanted. We have to stay humble and remember what we are coming from. We started the season really badly and our morale was really low. But everything changed after Xavi arrived. The team grew, got stronger and has learned a lot.”

"Xavi brought back the Barça that got lost in recent years. We had a great game against Real Madrid, in Napoli, with Atlético. That’s how far we can go and we can go further. True, we didn’t end up winning trophies, but we need to have faith in what we’re doing. I’m sure next season will be a great one.”

"I believe in the project and in the team we have. This season has been a tough one, but it was all part of the learning process for next season.”

Learning from Piqué

"You learn a lot from him. He’s one of my role models. I’ve admired him a lot since I came to this club. He’s not so fast, but he’s smart. He is always in the right position and passes the ball out well. He’s one of the best centre-backs in the world. He’s won everything, even the World Cup. My time playing alongside him has been great and I have tried to make the most of the chance.”