First training session in Los Angeles complete and Barça's number 4, Ronald Araujo answered the travelling media's questions on the pitch of the Memorial Coliseum. “I am happy to be here again for another pre-season”, he began, with conditions hot and the temperature above 30ºC.
The Uruguayan central defender thinks this is the start of a season when the team can compete on all fronts. "We have a great team and we want to compete in every competition", he stated. He went on to adopt a more cautionary tone while still remaining confident when asked about the Champions League. “I think we need to take it step by step and not get ahead of ourselves, remember the journey. We'll fight for the Champions League”, he assured.
When it came to the three summer signings so far, Araujo considers “they are three important players with a lot of experience and can help. I expect them to add something and I am sure they will. They have experience”. When asked about his new defensive teammate, Iñigo Martínez, he added that "we know about his quality and he is really experienced, even though he hasn't been able to train yet".
Regarding his own situation, Araujo is convinced about his possibilities. “I feel important. That was clear last season, and I want to help the team again so we have a better season than last season, especially in Europe”, he explains. When asked about potentially becoming captain, he is clear that “it's always an honour to be considered, but my teammates choose that. I think I am a leader whether I wear the armband or not. I feel like I was born with leadership skills”.