After making his 200th appearance for Barcelona’s first team, Ronald Araújo gave an exclusive interview, reflecting on his journey.
What does making 200 appearances for the first team mean to you?
— For me, making 200 appearances for Barcelona is a dream come true.
Which of those 200 games would you choose, and why?
— I could name so many – the matches that won us trophies, the games that will stay with me forever… But I have to pick the 4-0 Clásico win over Real Madrid in 2022. I scored in that game.
Did you imagine reaching this milestone when you signed for Barça?
— To be honest, I never thought 200 games was achievable. When I arrived at 19, my only dream was to play for the first team.
What does it feel like to wear the Barcelona captain’s armband? What does it mean to step onto the pitch with it?
— It’s a huge honour. Barcelona has such a long history with legendary captains. For me, it means responsibility, representing the club’s values, and helping my teammates on and off the pitch.
How have you changed from the 19-year-old who arrived in Barcelona to the 26-year-old with 200 Barça appearances now?
— I’ve changed a lot. I arrived as a young boy with a dream; now I’m more mature and experienced. I’ve learned so much from coaches, teammates, and the tough moments.
Did you ever think you’d reach your 200th game playing as a center-forward?
— No, honestly, I didn’t. (Laughs) But if the team needs me, I’ll do whatever I can to help.
If you could pick one moment from your eight years at Barça, what would it be?
— I’d choose the trophies we’ve won. Lifting a cup in this shirt is always special, because you know what it means to the club and the fans.
Does reaching this milestone mean even more after everything that’s happened in the past few months?
— Yes, because when you go through hard times, you appreciate everything more. I worked extremely hard to get back to my best and help the team, so reaching 200 games means a great deal to me.
How does it feel personally to reach 200 games after everything this season?
— I’m so grateful. To God, my family, the club, and the fans. These past few months have been difficult, and I’ve put in so much work, but seeing it all pay off gives me the motivation to keep going.
What are your dreams for the rest of your Barça career? Do you think you can reach 300 or 400 appearances?
— My dream is to keep winning trophies with Barcelona. If I reach 300 or 400 games, it will be because I’ve done my job and helped the team. So I hope to keep adding to my appearances for many years to come.