Luis Suarez reveals Barcelona youngster Messi couldn’t beat
FT Desk
- Updated: 10 Jul 2022 16:58 BST
- 3 min read
Luis Suarez has hailed Barcelona youngster Ronald Araujo and says that he used to stop Lionel Messi in training.
Araujo has established himself as arguably Barcelona’s best defender over the past year, having initially arrived at Camp Nou over in 2019 from Boston River.
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The Uruguayan has impressed his countryman Luis Suarez, who of course starred for Barcelona from 2013 to 2020.
What did Suarez say abiut Araujo on Messi?
“I’m very happy with the level Araujo has showed all season with Barça,” Suarez told ESPN Argentina.
“I always trusted him. I remember him being 20 years old and stopping Leo (Messi) in training. That kid is a wall.”
Araujo has made 82 appearances for Barcelona, scoring six goals.
The 23-year-old recently signed a new contract at Barcelona until 2026, with a buyout clause inserted into his deal worth a staggering €1 billion.
Araujo’s future at Barcelona had been in serious doubt as his contract was due to expire in 2023.
Contract negotiations were not initially going well, with Araujo said to be unhappy that Barcelona had offered the centre back just €3m per year.
The stopper made it clear that he desired parity with fellow young stars Pedri, Ansu Fati and Ferran Torres.
Barcelona also said during negotiations that if a new contract with Araujo was not agreed by the summer that they would sell him to the highest bidder this summer.
A number of top European clubs lined up Araujo, including Man Utd, Chelsea and PSG.
However, Araujo ended up staying at Barcelona after signing a new deal with a release clause that will scare off any team.
And Araujo will certainly scare off many attackers too given his performances in training against Messi.
As for Suarez, he is currently a free agent after he left Atletico Madrid at the end of his two-year contract.
