Time has proven that some decisions are only understood after it’s too late. Within Barcelona, an old story resurfaced with renewed force, as events proved that Xavi Hernandez’s insight into a sensitive issue wasn’t fleeting, but rather based on a precise understanding of what was happening behind the scenes.
Shortly before his departure, Xavi expressed his dissatisfaction with the performance of one of the team’s players. This quickly impacted his tactical decisions, as the player gradually disappeared from the starting lineup, transforming from an indispensable element to a secondary option – a turn of events that seemed unexpected at the time.
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Until the middle of the story, it appeared to be merely a temporary setback, but a single mistake at a critical juncture was enough to change everything and seal the player’s fate at Camp Nou.
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We’re talking about Ronald Araujo, who faced accusations following the European elimination against Paris Saint-Germain after his controversial red card in the Champions League quarter-finals. This dismissal turned the tide of the match and paved the way for the French team’s comeback.
Xavi, driven by his tactical convictions, recommended to Joan Laporta and Deco that the Uruguayan defender be sold during the summer transfer window, but the deal fell through. The reason wasn’t solely technical; Araujo’s injury during the Copa América sidelined him for several months, diminishing interest from other clubs.
At that time, Barcelona’s management still saw Araujo as a potential asset to Hansi Flick’s plans. The German coach decided to give him a second chance, and upon his return, Araujo’s performances suggested a fresh start. However, this improvement was short-lived.
The defender quickly found himself under fire again due to repeated costly errors, particularly in crucial matches. This pattern repeated itself in Europe, this time in the Champions League semi-final against Inter Milan, confirming the doubts within the coaching staff.
At this point, Flick’s stance shifted significantly, and the conviction grew that Xavi had been right from the outset in including Araujo on the list of players who could be sacrificed. Although his departure seemed almost certain, Iñigo Martínez’s surprise move to Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia opened a temporary window for him to stay and compete.
He started the season as a makeshift solution to fill the void, a potential partner for Pau Coparci, but he quickly fell out of favor due to lackluster performances, finding himself completely out of the picture.
According to Mundo Deportivo, Ronald Araujo will be among the first players Barcelona puts on the transfer list in 2026, a move that reflects the end of a long chapter… and the beginning of a long-delayed but finally arrived conviction.
