The Uruguayan defender Ronald Araujo is nearing his 200th match in a Barcelona jersey, having reached 199 appearances during the match against Villarreal, where he participated for a few minutes in the second half, putting him just one step away from joining the double-century club with the Catalan team.

According to the Spanish newspaper 'Mundo Deportivo', Araujo might reach this significant number in the second leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final against Atletico Madrid, should he participate in the anticipated match, continuing to build his remarkable career with Barcelona.

Araujo joined Barcelona in the summer of 2018 to strengthen Barcelona Athletic's defense, but his stint in the reserve team was short-lived. In his second season, he balanced playing for both the reserve and the first team, quickly convincing the coaching staff of his great potential, becoming one of the key defensive pillars over the past seven seasons.

His statistics demonstrate his impact, having played 199 matches in a Barcelona jersey, starting in 152 of them, completing 118 full matches, and coming on as a substitute in 47 matches, with a total of 13,967 minutes. He scored 13 goals, including three goals this season, and received 36 yellow cards and 5 red cards.

In terms of competitions, Araujo participated in 134 La Liga matches, 18 Copa del Rey matches, 31 Champions League matches, 7 Europa League matches, and 9 UEFA Super Cup matches, reflecting his consistency and steady performance across various tournaments.

In his early days, he caught attention with his great speed despite his strong physical build, along with his ability to defend in open spaces. His development coincided with the team's rebuilding phase, becoming a symbol of solidity and focus in the backline. The arrival of Xavi Hernandez further enhanced his tactical development, before continuing his strong presence under Hans Flick, who renewed his trust in him.

Despite suffering some injuries and having to take an indefinite break this season to recover mentally due to stress and anxiety, Araujo returned with a renewed spirit, regaining his enthusiasm and enjoyment of every minute on the field.

Araujo made his official debut with the first team on October 6, 2019, during a 4-0 victory over Sevilla, coming on as a substitute in the second half before being sent off in the same match. Since then, the Uruguayan defender has continued to establish his position, now standing on the brink of another historic achievement with Barcelona.