Ronald Araujo has faced a challenging season, but the Barcelona defender is on the cusp of an important milestone. If he plays against Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey semi-final second leg, he will reach 200 appearances for the club.
The occasion comes under high pressure, with Barcelona needing to overturn a 0-4 first-leg deficit. Araujo has featured consistently in recent matches, though it remains uncertain whether he will start or enter from the bench.
Since returning from a brief mental health break, he has only started once, in a Copa del Rey match at Albacete. However, Eric Garcia’s suspension could open a starting spot, giving Araujo the chance to mark his 200th game in the starting XI.
Araujo’s journey at Barcelona began in 2018 when he joined Barça Atletic from Boston River for €1.7 million plus add-ons. Few could have anticipated how central he would become to the team in the years that followed.
Under Xavi Hernandez, Araujo played 100 matches, and he has already appeared 49 times under Hansi Flick. Featuring against Atletico would not only mark his 200th overall appearance but also his 50th under the German coach.
While the milestone is significant, the focus will remain on the result. With a place in the Copa del Rey final on the line, Araujo could celebrate this personal achievement on one of the most challenging nights of the season.