Ronald Araujo Hails Xavi’s Impact After La Liga Success: “His Arrival Has Been So Important”
Speaking during an interview on TV3’s Gol a Gol, Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo has hailed manager Xavi Hernandez on the team, claiming that the 43-year-old’s arrival has been key to the development of several players including himself.
Xavi took over the reins of Barcelona’s first team in November 2021, at a time when the team was not in the best position and Ronald Koeman had been sacked.
But, the former midfielder and club legend has been able to turn things around in a spectacular fashion in the year and a half that he has been at the club. Indeed, Xavi led Barcelona to their first La Liga title since 2018/19 while they also won the Spanish Super Cup this season.
And Araujo is of the belief that Xavi’s arrival has been key to the success of the team as well as them going back to the identity and roots of Barcelona.
“Xavi’s arrival has been so important for me and other players. In the last few years, Barca were losing their essence, especially when building up from the back,” he said.
Talking about how the campaign has panned out, Araujo added: “Our league season was spectacular. I remember us winning many difficult matches, like the one at El Sadar or the Clasico at Home. That’s when we knew that we were very close to winning.”
But, the defender did add that the team needed to do better in Europe moving forward, as he said:
“We played at a good level, but there are things that we have to improve, especially in Europe. We’re a great team and we have to show that in Europe.”
One common theme in all the interviews that are being given by Barça stars of late has been questions about the potential return of Lionel Messi.
Araujo himself had recently spoken about how the Argentine would always be welcome at Barcelona amid strong speculations about a summer return. And the Uruguayan international reinstated his desire to see his former captain back, saying:
“Leo Messi was always very close to me. He helped me a lot when I started in the first team. I appreciate him a lot, hopefully he can join us again.”
