The sweet reason Ronald Araujo picked the No.33 shirt at Liverpool
New Liverpool signing Ronald Araujo has picked the number 33 shirt at Anfield, and there’s a touching reason behind it.
Just days after Liverpool surprised many by agreeing a deal with Barcelona for Araujo, the centre-back was officially welcomed as Andoni Iraola’s player on Monday evening.
Joining winger Victor Munoz—who Liverpool signed earlier this summer for £34.5 million from Osasuna—Araujo is now the Reds’ second new player this transfer window.
The strong Uruguayan international has joined on a season-long loan from Barcelona, with the option to make the move permanent for €55 million (£47.14 million) after this season.
Araujo arrives at Anfield at a crucial time for manager Andoni Iraola, who has been hit hard by injuries in defence. Joe Gomez is out with a muscle injury picked up during their 4-2 pre-season win over Sunderland and will miss the start of the Premier League season. Jeremy Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni are injured too, leaving Virgil van Dijk as Iraola’s only senior defender before Araujo arrived.
The 27-year-old is set to make his unofficial debut against Como on August 16 and hopes to start Liverpool’s Premier League opener against Newcastle United a week later at St James’ Park.
Unsurprisingly, the Uruguay international, who has 27 caps, is excited to make his mark in the Premier League with one of its biggest clubs.
“I can’t wait to get started. I’m very, very happy,” Araujo told LFC TV after his signing was confirmed. “I’m excited to be here at this huge club with a rich history. I’m looking forward to meeting my teammates, playing, and I’m very motivated to get going.
“I think this was the perfect move for me right now. It was something I needed to do. When I heard Liverpool were interested, everything moved very quickly.”
Araujo mainly plays as a centre-back but can also cover right-back, which will give Iraola some important options as he tries to build a strong team.
The Barcelona loanee will wear the No.33 jersey at Liverpool—last worn by Jordon Ibe in 2016. Others like Jonjo Shelvey, Sebastian Leto, and Neil Mellor have also worn 33 in the Premier League era.
At Barcelona, Araujo wore No.4, but that number belongs to Van Dijk at Liverpool. There is, however, a special story behind his choice of 33, which he shared in his first interview.
“It’s a number I like and has a special meaning to me. Funny enough, when I made my professional debut, I wore this number.
“But it also has a personal meaning connected to my faith and my relationship with Jesus, God, and religion.
“I’ve talked about this with my friends, family, partner, and parents. It’s a number I’m very happy to wear for many reasons.”