Barça is having an impressive season, and they face the final phase with every chance to win the three titles at stake. With Hansi Flick, the team has found a tactical solidity and a winning mentality that hadn't been seen in the blaugrana locker room for some time. Barça reaches May alive in all competitions, exciting and proving that they are capable of competing at the highest level.
One of the keys to this great moment is the individual performance that Flick has managed to extract from his players, and cases like those of Lewandowski and Raphinha are striking. The Polish forward, who started the season with doubts, has regained his goal-scoring instinct and his authority in the area. Meanwhile, De Jong has become the engine of the midfield, with a consistency and leadership unimaginable a few months ago.
A connected locker room, but with a painful exception
Despite the good collective level, there is some disappointment in the locker room due to the performance of a player who hasn't lived up to expectations. In a team where practically everyone is performing above expectations, this situation is concerning, especially in such a decisive part of the season. The group feels they can no longer trust him.
The loss of trust is widespread. No one in the culé environment has come out to defend him publicly. The lack of support from players like Pedri or Ter Stegen leaves him more alone than ever.
According to "El Nacional," that player is Ronald Araujo. The Uruguayan center-back, a usual defensive reference for Barça in recent years, is not going through his best moment. In the locker room, they say his drop in performance has been surprising, especially due to his performance in matches like against Dortmund, where he didn't show the security and strength expected.
However, the turning point was in San Siro, in the Champions League elimination against Inter. In that key match, Araujo made serious mistakes, was physically outmatched, and left the team exposed. As a culé, it was very hard to see him fail in basic actions that ended up costing us the qualification.
From indisputable to a sign of weakness
That night marked a turning point, both in his image and in his internal role. Since then, his minutes have decreased, and his figure no longer commands respect or authority. Some teammates don't understand how someone with that profile can be so far below the required level.
This drop has caused doubts, not only among fans but also within the group itself. A situation that, according to sources close to the club, has started to create some discomfort in the defender. The feeling is that Araujo has lost the trust of his teammates and the coach.
It should be remembered that Ronald Araujo has a release clause of 65 million euros this summer. An accessible figure for several big European clubs that have already shown interest. Important clubs are alert to his situation, aware that he might be open to a change of scenery.
The center-back, who was once considered untransferable, now sees his future in question. He no longer seems like a pillar to build on, but a dispensable piece. Everything will depend on how this season ends and if he manages to reverse the negative perception surrounding him.
Cubarsí and Íñigo leave him in the background
Additionally, Pau Cubarsí and Íñigo Martínez have surpassed him. Both players have Flick's full trust, and they are starters, leaving Araujo as a third or even fourth option in some matches. If this dynamic continues, the Uruguayan's future at Barça could be numbered.
For the first time since he joined the first team, his continuity is not guaranteed. The locker room no longer considers him essential, and the club looks favorably on a sale if a significant offer comes in. The final decision could be made in the coming weeks, but today everything points to an inevitable breakup.
