Barcelona’s Ronald Araújo: ‘I came from a different football. But I told myself, I have to play here’

Uruguayan centre-back who honed his skills in the bullring at La Masia has been tipped for greatness by Xavi before the Europa League playoff second leg against Manchester United

SHOWING REAL PROMISE: Ronald Araujo of FC Barcelona reacts during the UEFA Europa League knockout round play-off leg one match between FC Barcelona and Manchester United at Spotify Camp Nou. Pic: David Ramos/Getty Images

Some days he would go before training, others after training and there were days he went before and after training, but every day without fail Ronald Araújo would head to the bullring. 

He was 19, recently arrived in Spain, and what he wanted most was to fit in. The bullring is a small cage with portable metal panels on wheels, relentlessly receiving and returning endless passes, and it became his place. Because if everything was different, ask the Uruguayan to name the hardest thing about moving to Barcelona as a teenager 6,000 miles from home and his response is simple: “the ball”.