Ronald Araujo has shared the private message Luis Suarez sent to him moments before the defender completed his move to Liverpool, having joined on loan from Barcelona
KIRKBY, ENGLAND - AUGUST 10: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Ronald Araujo attends at AXA Training Centre on August 10, 2026 in Kirkby, England. (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Ronald Araujo has joined Liverpool on a season-long loan(Image: Getty Images)
Ronald Araujo has revealed that Luis Suarez messaged him moments before he was unveiled by Liverpool, wishing the Reds’ new signing good luck.
Araujo’s move to Anfield was confirmed on Monday, with the defender making the switch on loan from Barcelona. He will remain with Liverpool for the entirety of the 2026/27 season, with his new club holding the option to make the transfer permanent next summer for around $64 million (€55M).
The 27-year-old becomes only the fourth Uruguayan to make the move to the Reds, following in the footsteps of Suarez, Darwin Nunez, and Sebastian Coates, all of whom Araujo has played alongside during his career.
Suarez retired from international duty two years ago, but he still holds a strong bond with his former teammates, having been seen supporting his country during this summer’s World Cup.
And, after having his move to Liverpool announced, Araujo revealed what the former Reds striker had told him moments before he put pen to paper on Merseyside.
“We loved watching the English Premier League and everyone in Uruguay gets up early in the morning to catch the games,” Araujo told the club’s website.
Luis Suarez and Ronald Araujo celebrate
Ronald Araujo played alongside Luis Suarez for Uruguay before the latter's international retirement(Image: CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP via Getty Images)
“Of course as a kid I used to watch Luis playing all those fantastic games for Liverpool. We all know what he achieved, the history that he made within this club during his time here. So it’s fantastic.
“From minute one, I’ve been sort of asked about that kind of comparison since I’ve arrived here. I get on really well with him, we’re quite close.
“Just a few minutes ago I got a good luck message from him saying all the best, you’ve joined a great club and all the very best for your time here.”
Suarez isn’t the only one to have been in touch with Araujo, with Nunez also sending his friend and international teammate a good luck message at the weekend, and inadvertently confirming his transfer earlier than planned.
Content Image
Content Image
“A big thank you for the message from Darwin,” Araujo said as he responded to Nunez. “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!’”
Araujo will aim to make his first appearance for Liverpool on Sunday when Andoni Iraola’s side take on Como in a double-header at Anfield, signaling the end of pre-season. A week later (August 23), the Reds kick off the 2026/27 Premier League campaign with a trip to Newcastle.