Ronald Araujo future in doubt as Barcelona demotion revealed | OneFootball

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has already started drawing up his plans for the 2026-27 season, which starts in August. He’s beginning to establish who will have a prominent role in his squad, and who can be let go during the summer if an acceptable offer arrives.

Unfortunately for Ronald Araujo, he falls into the latter category. The Uruguayan defender was once one of Barcelona’s most important players, but now, the club captain is at risk of having no future at the Spotify Camp Nou.

That’s because Flick has decided that Araujo will be his fifth-choice central defender for the 2026-27 season, as per Diario AS. He’s still considered to be a useful player, but by the time August comes around, he will be behind Pau Cubarsí, Gerard Martín, Eric García and Andreas Christensen in the centre-back pecking order.

For months, Araujo has been clear that he wants to stay at Barcelona as long as he has a place there. He will have one, but the fact that he will drop down below Christensen in the pecking order is unlikely to go down well with him – and as such, he could instruct his agent to find a new club after his involvement at the 2026 World Cup comes to an end.

Araujo could drive interest in World Cup performances

Image via Alex Caparros/Getty Images

At this stage, it does appear that Barcelona would welcome offers for Araujo, so they will hope that he impresses during the World Cup with Uruguay as this should drive suitors. It could also mean they can demand more money, which comes at a time when the Catalan club is trying to raise funds for new signings.

It will be interesting to see how Araujo’s situations plays out as the summer goes on, but right now, an exit would surely make the most sense for all parties.