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Barcelona youngster could have been a Real Madrid Superstar

By Nishant Narayanan

PONTEVEDRA, SPAIN - OCTOBER 1: Ronald Araujo of FC Barcelona, Francisco Trincao of FC Barcelona, Sergio Busquets of FC Barcelona, Sergi Roberto of FC Barcelona during the La Liga Santander match between Celta de Vigo v FC Barcelona at the Estadio de Balaidos on October 1, 2020 in Pontevedra Spain (Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images)
PONTEVEDRA, SPAIN - OCTOBER 1: Ronald Araujo of FC Barcelona, Francisco Trincao of FC Barcelona, Sergio Busquets of FC Barcelona, Sergi Roberto of FC Barcelona during the La Liga Santander match between Celta de Vigo v FC Barcelona at the Estadio de Balaidos on October 1, 2020 in Pontevedra Spain (Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images) /
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Real Madrid could have acquired young Barcelona defender, Ronald Araujo.

In 2018 Barcelona picked up a young player, Ronald Araujo, from Uruguay to be in their B team. The now third choice center-back for Barcelona could have very well ended up with their arch-rivals, Real Madrid. However, the Catalans were able to secure the 21-year-old with the help of their current sporting director, Ramon Planes.

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The Barca defender comes from a humble background. Raised in Rivera, Uruguay. The young talent did not grow up with a silver spoon in his mouth. Instead his mother worked hard and sold Torta Fritas to earn a living. He was eventually spotted by amateur club, Huracan, where he played as a midfielder, wearing the number 10 jersey. His efforts saw him wearing the captain’s armband and in 2015 he caught the attention of Diego Ospitaleche.

Ospitaleche advised young players on which club to join and helped them get into modest teams. He chose Rentistas for Ronald and after his second trial, he was selected to play for the club. In that club under the guidance of coach, Sergio Cabrera, the player dropped down from the midfield position into a central defensive position. He ended his career in Uruguay with Boston River after which he was picked up by the Catalans and made to play in Barca B.

The player was being scouted by many La Liga teams including Malaga, Getafe, and Real Madrid. Roman Martinez, Real Madrid’s current deputy director-general, had a talk with Araujo’s old coach, Cabrera, however, his deal was already tied due to Roman Planes’ diligence and attention. The now Barca’s sporting director was lining up the player for Getafe and thus he knew his value and potential. Acting fast he managed to secure him to Barcelona and save him from the clutches of Real Madrid.

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