Ronald Araújo vs Vinícius Junior: The rivalry set to dominate ElClasico for years to come

In recent years, ElClasico has produced some epic individual battles, from Lionel Messi’s clashes with Sergio Ramos to Cristiano Ronaldo’s sprints against Gerard Piqué to Andrés Iniesta’s chess matches against Luka Modrić. Now, re is a new rivalry that is set to dominate ElClasico for many years to come: FC Barcelona’s Ronald Araújo vs Real Mrid’s Vinícius Júnior. 

Given that Brazilian left winger is one of most dangerous dribblers in all of world football, Xavi Hernández needed to find a solution and his response has been to move Araújo from his preferred role at centre-back to inste play as a right-back whenever se two rivals face off.

This has worked well, as Araújo has defensive prowess to make tackles and steal ball from Vinícius, he has positional awareness to be in right place to mark Brazilian and he also has speed to catch up to winger whenever Vinícius finds a pocket of space. Uruguayan defender’s unique skillset gives him a better chance than most of stopping man Carlo Ancelotti has described as “ most decisive” player in world football. 

Araújo and Vinícius’ he-to-he record: Three wins for Uruguayan and two for Brazilian

most exciting thing about this rivalry is fact that it’s only just beginning, with Araújo aged 24 and Vinícius 22. y have met in five FC Barcelona vs Real Mrid games so far, and Vinícius won first two: a 2-1 LaLiga Santander win in 2020/21 and a 3-2 extra time win in 2021/22 Spanish Super Cup semis.

What’s interesting, though, is that Araújo played as a centre-back in both of those losses. It was only n that Xavi started deployed Uruguayan at right-back to stop Vinícius, and Araújo has won all three of ElClasico contests he has participated in since n: a 4-0 LaLiga Santander win at Bernabéu in 2021/22, 3-1Barça victory in 2022/23 Spanish Super Cup final and 1-0 first-leg win of 2022/23 Copa del Rey semi-final.

Araújo’s value as a right-back was also clear to see in one ElClasico he has missed in past year. When Real Mrid defeated FC Barcelona 3-1 in first LaLiga Santander ElClasico of this season, he was absent through injury.

A rivalry based on mutual respect

Amazingly, y haven’t faced off yet on international stage, but we’ll surely see many battles between se two in games between Uruguay and Brazil as well. For now, this is a rivalry that is starting to define ElClasico and it has been thrilling for fans of both clubs and for neutrals too.

se are two players who fully understand brilliance of or, making this a rivalry based on mutual respect. In ir battles toger, it has been common to see Araújo or Vinícius offer a hand to help or back to ir feet after one of two hits deck.

Even though he expects to suffer against Vinícius over coming years, Araújo has praised Real Mrid man, stating: “He is a spectacular player, a player who I love to watch. He’s really difficult to defend. We’re going to suffer quite a lot against him in coming years.”

next chapter of this Araújo vs Vinícius rivalry is just around corner, with next ElClasico taking place at Spotify Camp Nou on Sunday, March 19th.