“I think Maxi is an unrefined player who has got to where he is by luck,” said Marcelo Bielsa, taking the opportunity to ‘criticise’ the player sat by his side at the press conference. “And I didn’t even see him before I called him up. He was recommended to me.”
That’s where the joke fell through. Of course Bielsa, of all people, took the time to watch him.
“I like wingers who can tilt the pitch, play on the edge of their own box all the way up to the opponents’, put in plenty of crosses,” he continued, in earnest this time. It explains why Araujo made his international debut under Uruguay’s new manager and has only missed one competitive game, through injury, since.
In a system that looks to flood the final third with players, stretch and overload the opposition before quickly attacking the spaces, a winger who can hold the width and be direct is crucial.
As we can see from the touchmap above, along with the fact that only Colombia’s Diaz and Araujo’s Uruguay colleague Darwin Nunez have racked up more touches in the opposition box, the 24-year-old is a reliable outlet who does not hesitate to drive into those dangerous areas.
Araujo announced his arrival at his maiden international tournament with a sumptuous curling effort against Panama while his second goal, against Bolivia, underlined the danger that his incisive forward running can create, particularly on the transition, by tearing into the box and squeezing a finish under the goalkeeper.
Another aspect of his game that Bielsa appreciates is his adaptability, having been deployed up and down the flank for Mexican side Toluca since joining in late 2022.
He may not have arrived as the star name in the Uruguayan squad, but his all-action combination of focused channel-running and in-your-face intensity has quickly made him a favourite of manager and fans alike.
