Ronald Araujo is Barcelona's Second Captain and Playing Again

Ronald Araujo is the second captain for FC Barcelona. He returned to play in an important game after recovering from an injury. He also trained early before the season started.
By Newsroom | Football, Spain |

Uncertainty Surrounds Barcelona's Vice-Captain Amidst Injury and Transfer Speculation

Recent events indicate a complex situation for Ronald Araujo, Barcelona's vice-captain. While Araujo is reportedly working towards a return for a crucial Copa del Rey semifinal match, circumstances suggest underlying challenges. These include lingering concerns from a past injury, an earlier-than-expected return to pre-season training potentially fueled by exit rumors, and his official captaincy status. Understanding these factors is key to assessing Araujo's current role and future at the club.

Captaincy Hierarchy Shifted in August 2024

Following the departure of long-standing captain Gerard Piqué, Barcelona updated its leadership structure.

Barcelona captain training individually, working on a return for Copa del Rey semifinal - 1

  • The club announced new first-team captains on August 23, 2024.

  • This announcement confirmed Marc-André Ter Stegen as the first captain.

  • Ronald Araujo was promoted to second captain, having made 150 appearances for the club.

  • Frenkie de Jong moved to third captain with 213 appearances.

  • Raphinha and Pedri were named fourth and fifth captains, respectively.

Read More: Nottingham Forest Fires Manager Sean Dyche

This definitive ranking places Araujo in a significant leadership position within the squad.

Pre-Season Preparations and Exit Rumors

The start of the 2025-2026 season saw Araujo engage in early pre-season training.

Barcelona captain training individually, working on a return for Copa del Rey semifinal - 2

  • Araujo began training earlier than his teammates, a decision seemingly influenced by the previous season's difficulties.

  • A key motivation was to avoid a repeat of struggles encountered after recovering from an injury, where he found it arduous to match his teammates' fitness levels upon return.

  • Reports at the time linked this early return to rumors of his potential exit from the club, though Araujo's commitment to Barcelona was emphatically stated in summaries from July 4, 2025.

Return from Injury for Crucial Fixture

Evidence points to Araujo's return to competitive action in a significant match.

  • On January 13, 2026, Ronald Araujo played a role in Barcelona's advancement to the Copa del Rey semifinals.

  • Coach Hansi Flick was observed to have a positive interaction with Araujo after the match.

  • Araujo reportedly expressed feeling better each day and appreciated the support from the coach and his teammates.

Read More: Trent Alexander-Arnold Has a Hard Start at Real Madrid

This suggests a resurgence in his physical condition and reintegration into the team's crucial matches.

Analysis of Araujo's Position

Ronald Araujo holds a clearly defined role as the second captain of FC Barcelona, as established in August 2024. His early return to pre-season training in July 2025, alongside reports of exit rumors, presents a nuance in his situation. However, his participation in the Copa del Rey semifinal in January 2026, following what appears to be a period of recovery and dedicated work, signals his resilience and continued importance to the team's objectives. The extent to which past injury struggles and earlier training initiatives directly correlate with any perceived instability remains a point of deliberation, but his on-field contributions in a critical fixture suggest a positive trajectory.

Sources:

Read More: Spurs Look at Tactics and Player Choices

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who is the captain of Barcelona?
Marc-André Ter Stegen is the first captain. Ronald Araujo is the second captain.
Q: Is Ronald Araujo playing again?
Yes, he played in a Copa del Rey semifinal game in January 2026 after recovering from an injury.
Q: Did Ronald Araujo train early?
Yes, he started training earlier than his teammates before the 2025-2026 season.