Earlier this week, Barcelona officially revealed the 2026/27 season kits with extensive media coverage.
The announcement featured key players and captains such as Frenkie de Jong, Pedri, Raphinha, Gavi, Jules Kounde, and Alejandro Balde showcasing Nike's design. However, the absence of captain Ronald Araujo sparked fan speculation.
According to AS, Araujo was not present on the promotional posters despite his captain status. Other captains including Frenkie de Jong, Pedri, and Raphinha were included.
Araujo holds an active contract with Barcelona and reportedly is not considering a move at this stage, wishing to compete for his place. Yet, under head coach Hansi Flick, his playing time is expected to be limited due to the manager’s defensive hierarchy.
Players linked with potential exits, such as Raphinha (linked to Saudi Arabia), Balde (linked to the Premier League), and Kounde, appeared in the kit announcement. This raises questions whether Araujo's exclusion signals the club’s plans for the upcoming season.
The captain’s omission from a significant promotional campaign constitutes a surprising decision by the club and fuels discussion about his role moving forward.
