Ronald Araujo has sent a message to Darwin Nunez after the former Liverpool striker inadvertently announced his international teammate's move to Anfield a day early
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JUNE 21: Ronald Araujo #4 and Darwin Nunez #9 of Uruguay inspect the pitch before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group H match between Uruguay and Cabo Verde at Miami Stadium on June 21, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
Darwin Nunez sent a message to Ronald Araujo before his move to Liverpool was confirmed(Image: Getty Images)
Ronald Araujo has responded to Darwin Nunez after the former Liverpool striker inadvertently announced his international teammate’s move to Anfield a day early.
Araujo has now completed his move to Anfield, having joined the Reds on a season-long loan from Barcelona. Liverpool will have the option to make the transfer permanent next year for a fee of around $64 million (€55M).
The defender’s arrival comes as Liverpool deals with something of an injury crisis in defense, with Andoni Iraola running short of options at the back with less than two weeks to go until the start of the Premier League season.
By the time Araujo’s signing was confirmed on Monday, it wouldn’t have come as a surprise to most supporters. News of his impending arrival first broke on Friday, with the 27-year-old then landing in the U.K. on Sunday to undergo his medical.
And if there were any Liverpool fans still unaware of the signing by that point, Nunez rather gave the game away for them as he sent a message to his fellow Uruguay international, having spent the summer with Araujo at the World Cup.
"I wish you the best in this great club, friend Ronald Araujo," Nunez posted on social media, alongside a picture of him with Araujo.
"It deeply gladdens me that you can feel what it is—the affection and support of the [Liverpool], they are special, and they will make you feel it that way, now you are a red more, from afar, always wishing you the best! LET'S GO UP!"
Having been unveiled by Liverpool on Monday, Araujo responded to Nunez and revealed the forward still speaks fondly of his time at Anfield.
“A big thank you for the message from Darwin,” Araujo told the club’s website. “He’s a good mate of mine. We’ve known each other and played together since we were kids, basically.
“He’s always spoken highly of Liverpool, for sure. When you’re out with Darwin, people are always shouting his name and things like that.
“He’s told me about how the fans would recognize him and say, ‘Nunez, Nunez!’”
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Araujo will get the chance to make his first appearance for Liverpool on Sunday, with the Reds facing Italian side Como in a double-header at Anfield to end their pre-season.
He will offer cover at both center-back and right-back for Iraola in the new season, with Liverpool already short on options in both positions before kicking the 2026/27 campaign at Newcastle on August 23.
Joe Gomez is already ruled out of the season opener against Newcastle later this month, while doubts remain over new signing Jeremy Jacquet, although the Frenchman is expected to play a part in the final pre-season friendlies against Como next weekend.
Giovanni Leoni, meanwhile, is continuing to recover after rupturing his ACL last year, while Conor Bradley is still months away from a return, having suffered a serious knee injury in January.