Flick confident Araujo will stay at Barcelona

Hansi Flick is counting on Ronald Araujo for next season, despite there being doubts over the defender's Barcelona future.

Araujo missed half of the season with a hamstring injury, after which he struggled to regain a regular starting place.

The Uruguay international was criticised for his performance in Barcelona's 4-3 aggregate defeat by Inter in the Champions League semi-finals.

Spanish media speculated that Araujo was set to leave in the close season, despite his contract having been renewed earlier in 2025.

"He signed the contract [with us]. why not? I 100% have my confidence with him and I believe in him," Flick told reporters ahead of Sunday's final LaLiga game at Athletic Bilbao.

"It was a really tough season for him, with the injury in the beginning, and then to come back, of course, when Pau Cubarsi and Inigo Martinez made a fantastic season playing together and it was not easy in this moment to come in and show how good he is.

"He will also improve a lot when he starts with us in the pre-season."

Flick was also confident that Barcelona's 17-year-old talisman Lamine Yamal would extend his contract, saying: "He loves playing for us."

Asked how he would rate Barcelona's season, after they won LaLiga, the Copa del Rey and the Supercopa de Espana, in his first season in charge, Flick replied: "Between eight and 10."

Barcelona have scored 99 goals in LaLiga 2024-25, the joint-most of any team in the big five European leagues this season, along with Bayern Munich.

The Blaugrana have, though, won just two of their last six LaLiga away games against Bilbao in LaLiga (D3 L1), having won their previous four visits in the competition.