With the repercussions of Barcelona’s Champions League exit still lingering, the team has no choice but to focus on Sunday’s El Clásico against Real Madrid — a crucial moment in determining the fate of La Liga.
A victory for Barcelona would bring them closer to the title, as they would need only two more points to secure it with three matches remaining. Even a draw would be acceptable, as it would require the Catalan side to collect five points from the remaining nine. A loss, however, would keep the title race wide open.
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According to reports from the Spanish newspaper El Nacional, Ronald Araújo is close to leaving Barcelona. The Uruguayan center-back, who was considered an untouchable pillar of the team just a year ago, could be playing his final El Clásico in a Barcelona shirt tonight, as the club prepares to make a final decision on his departure this summer. Behind this decision is Deco, the sporting director, who has not hesitated to determine the player’s fate.
The deterioration of the relationship between Araújo and the club is nothing new. During the winter transfer window, the player requested a move to Juventus, but an injury to Iñigo Martínez led the coaching staff to postpone his exit. In an attempt to manage the situation, he was offered a contract extension until 2031, with a €65 million release clause specifically designed to facilitate his departure should he choose to leave in the summer. Today, this clause appears entirely appropriate.
The club’s confidence in his leadership has clearly declined. His sending-off against Paris Saint-Germain last season marked a turning point, as it contributed to the end of Xavi Hernández’s Champions League ambitions. Disappointment returned this year against Inter Milan, when Araújo looked exposed during crucial goals, further increasing criticism from both inside the dressing room and the fanbase.
What really worsened the situation were his post-match comments. Rather than taking responsibility, Araújo indirectly blamed his teammates for the fourth goal and attempted to justify the third. For Deco, these remarks were viewed as a sign of lacking self-criticism and team spirit.
In a summer when Barcelona is preparing for structural changes, Flick has decided that Araújo will be one of the players to be let go. The club needs to raise funds and reduce its wage bill to comply with Financial Fair Play regulations, while also seeking to strengthen other areas of the squad. Araújo’s role is no longer as essential as it once was, making him a suitable candidate for a painful but necessary exit.
For his part, Araújo understands that his future lies away from Barcelona. Flick’s style no longer aligns with his strengths, and he has fallen behind Pau Cubarsí, Iñigo Martínez, Eric García, and Andreas Christensen in the defensive hierarchy. In this context, he appears ready for a new chapter. Clubs such as Bayern Munich and Juventus have already expressed genuine interest in signing him.
