Deco reveals the conversation with Ronald Araujo leading to renewal – ‘Told him he was wrong…’ | OneFootball

One of the biggest stories in this winter transfer market at FC Barcelona was the uncertain future of Ronald Araujo.

The Uruguayan centre-back appeared to have made up his mind to end his time at the Catalan club, with a move to Juventus seemingly close to being finalised.

However, the Barcelona captain ultimately turned down the Italian giants and chose to continue wearing the Blaugrana jersey, signing a contract until June 2031.

The conversations between the 25-year-old defender and Barcelona’s sporting director, Deco, ultimately led to successful negotiation, with the player putting pen to paper on a new contract.

Deco sheds light on Araujo talks

In an interview with SPORT, Deco explained how the negotiations with Araujo unfolded, but opted to place himself in the background rather than taking credit for it.

“I didn’t convince him,” noted the former Portuguese midfielder.

Empathising with the player, the Barcelona director commented: “Sometimes a footballer goes through moments in his career, sometimes he has doubts, whether he is in the right project.”

Araujo signed a long-term contract until 2031. (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)

Continuing, he added: “Ronald wanted to feel if he could win, if he could fight for important things. Not only him. I put myself on the footballer’s side and I don’t see myself being at Barça without winning titles. I wanted to be in a winning team.”

Revealing what he told the Uruguayan international, Deco said: “I told him he was wrong to leave in January because this team, between now and the end of the season, will show that it can fight for important things.

“We never wanted to sell him and the decision in the end was the player’s. We want players who want to succeed at the club. We want players who want to succeed at Barça.”

There has been speculation that Araujo might reconsider his situation in the future, especially with his release clause amount being lowered. So when asked if he sees the defender at the club next season, Deco replied:

“I think so. The feeling we have is that this team is going to be fighting for important things in the next few years and the player wants to be part of that.”