As Uruguay's national team prepares for a friendly match against India, Ronald Araújo sat down for an interview with the official media of the Uruguayan Football Association. Despite being with the national team, he discussed the disappointment of missing two World Cups, his adaptation to Liverpool, his experience with new coach Diego Forlán, his relationship with Darwin Núñez, and his family life. This article is the first part of the interview.

Ronald, it's good to see you back with the Uruguay national team. After the World Cup break and a fresh start under Diego Forlán's management, the team has played two matches. But first, I'd like to ask: how have you been?

Honestly, I've been doing very well. I'm very happy to be back here. Representing my country and being with my teammates on the Uruguay national team is always special. I'm really pleased to embrace this new chapter.

What was your World Cup experience like? You were always with the team, but didn't get playing time, and it came down to just a few days. How did you feel going through all of that?

I'll be very honest with you. That experience was genuinely difficult. It was very hard for me, and it was very hard for my family who suffered alongside me. Ultimately, there were two very important tournaments where I wasn't able to participate. It was really difficult, and it still is. Because I put in so much effort to play for the Uruguay national team, to stand on one of the most beautiful stages in world football as a footballer. Not being able to do that is truly, truly difficult.

I continued to work hard and do everything I could, hoping to achieve it, but ultimately it didn't happen again. That caused me a lot of pain, real pain. Sometimes I can understand the doubt, criticism, and all the voices around this issue. After all, this is our profession, so I understand.

I won't say I agree with the criticism. Nobody agrees when they're criticized, right? But personally, I do feel responsible for not playing in those matches. I genuinely feel that way, and it saddens me deeply. But all of this is part of life. Life is like that. When you face difficulties, you have to overcome them, look ahead, and keep working hard.

I know what I can bring to the Uruguay national team. I firmly believe that very bright times are ahead—not just for the team as a whole, but for me personally too.

I believe I will bring great joy to my country and my family. After all, I'm Uruguayan, and I have deep feelings about all of this. I believe I will bring great joy to my country. I've always worked hard for this, and I will work even harder than ever to achieve everything I want. This is also every player's dream, isn't it? Bringing a championship to everyone is the most beautiful thing. I will fight with all my strength, give everything, work hard to play, and fight for that title.

We see you every day with the Uruguay national team and know how much you love this team and your country. You're so happy every time you arrive, you transmit that emotion to everyone, and you do everything possible to play in the matches. But after going through this with the first and second World Cups, I want to ask: how did you get back up? What did you lean on? Where did you find the strength to still say "I will come back" despite all this? Just like now—you come back smiling so happily, you start fighting again, and you encourage everyone. What sustains you?

First, I'm a man of faith, you know? I rely on God, and then I rely on my family. My family is always there, always supporting me. And there's my love for what I do. I always say that being able to make a profession out of what we love most is a great blessing. That also keeps me moving forward, allows me to keep enjoying all of this, and gives me the strength to get back up when I face difficulties.

This applies not just to football, but to life itself, to everyone, to their work, to the difficulties they face in life. That's how life is, right? You fall down, you get back up, and you try again.

Moreover, we are Uruguayan, and this spirit flows in our blood, doesn't it? Getting back up, trying again, never giving up. That's it. Everyone should face life this way. This is something I try to apply to my life and career, and that's how I work. Even when I face difficulties, I always smile and firmly believe that the best is yet to come. I have no doubt that the best is still ahead.

Let's put the national team aside for a moment and talk about your current club. Only a few months have passed, and I'm not sure if anyone, including you, expected things to start this way. You've played only a few matches, and not even in your most common position, yet you've already won over Liverpool fans' hearts. A few days ago, they chanted your name during the match against Atlético Madrid. What is Anfield like? How do you feel at Liverpool?

Honestly, I'm very happy and I feel very comfortable here. From the moment I arrived, everyone has made me feel very at ease. My teammates, the coaching staff, the fans—they made me feel at home from day one. That helps a lot and gives me more confidence when I step on the pitch, so I can repay it with my performances and give everything.

I'm very happy, really happy, and I'm pleased to experience these moments. The next step is to keep working hard and train diligently, as I'm doing now. I hope to have a very good season.

The Premier League is characterized by its fast pace and high intensity, with more physical contact allowed, which suits your playing style. Have you ever thought, "I want to go there and prove to them that I can play in the Premier League"?

No, no. Because I don't do these things to respond to external reactions or to prove something. I know my value, I know what I can do as a player, and I have great confidence in that. I simply enjoy all of this and enjoy playing football.

Thank God, I've finally gotten the consistent playing time I've always wanted. I know what kind of player I am when I play regularly and have confidence, and what I can achieve. Now everything I do is about enjoying the game, enjoying what I love most. In this process, I can also see the results of my effort. Because I'm someone who works really hard, you know? I also believe that when you put in the work, you see results.

AI 번역.

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