Ronald Araujo's new fight

BarcelonaEverything changed for Ronald Araujo on November 25, 2025, at Stamford Bridge. His sending-off against Chelsea was the final trigger for a reactive anxiety disorder. But the Uruguayan's crisis had been brewing for some time. The ARA already explained then that, at the club, there were already those who were worried sick, that Araujo was carrying problems that went beyond the physical issue since the painful tie against PSG last season with Xavi Hernández on the bench.

Not only because of the sending-off that diminished Barça's chances in the first half of the second leg, but also because of what Luis Enrique Martínez revealed in his documentary, broadcast months later. "Araujo is a playertopBut he has trouble playing the ball out from the back. Every time he gets it, we block a passing lane and we're in," the Asturian coach stated in that piece produced by Movistar. Those statements, in which a top-level coach instilled in his attackers the importance of pressing a then-minor Pau Cubarsí before Araujo, brought global attention to the CharrúaIn a recent interview on Sports WorldHe himself explained that he hadn't been well for "a long time."

The red card at Stamford Bridge was the final straw. "It wasn't that I considered that sending-off so serious as to warrant a strike, but rather a combination of things. Perhaps I hadn't felt well for more than a year and a half. You try to be strong, perhaps because of your roots, where you come from, you start to move forward, but I felt that I wasn't well. Not only in the sporting sphere, but also... That was when it clicked and I said: something is happening, I need to raise my hand and ask for help," he explains. Initially, the club's directive was to let Hansi Flick handle the situation as best he could with the press.

If the German coach cited "a private matter" to justify Araujo's absence during the first two consecutive matches after their defeat in London—his absence had initially been attributed to "a stomach virus"—it was on the instructions of Alejandro Echevarría. While holding no official position at the club, it's common knowledge that Joan Laporta's former brother-in-law wields considerable influence over the first team's day-to-day operations. In fact, in the interview, Araujo mentions Echevarría among those he thanks for "the understanding" he received when he informed the club about his condition. "First, I spoke with Deco. He's the sporting director and is close to us. I told him what was happening to me. He took it very well, in a very personal way. He called the president and the manager. I'm very grateful to them, to Deco, the president, the manager, and also to the people there who perhaps aren't visible: Alej."

Finally, the footballer's agents agreed that they had to inform the press about his situation, as it wouldn't be a short-term injury. It was also agreed with Araujo that he would train separately—with external professionals, but following the physical guidelines set by the club's staff—to maintain his fitness. However, the top priority was for him to focus on finding ways to recover. Since Laia Vinaixa, the psychologist who was on staff at Barça until recently, left to work in Saudi Arabia with Ramon Planes, Araujo had to begin treatment with external specialists, with whom he continues to work.

The new reality of Ronald Araujo

"I felt that the worst of the worst was over and now I see things differently. The time I was out of work was for a reason, because in the end I was able to work through it with professionals, also within my family." spiritually... which was what I needed. “Today I feel like a completely different person,” the player explains. Those who know the footballer’s daily life tell ARA that he is now “100%” ready to help his teammates and that he is “very excited” to be the first captain of Ter Stegen’s loan. “He has always had a leadership quality. Now he feels that increased responsibility.” For example, Araujo, who speaks Portuguese because his hometown of Rivera is near the border between Uruguay and Brazil, was one of the first to help Raphinha adapt to Barça.

The center-back not only has the support of a good part of the dressing room, but also of the senior management. On the pitch, however, the Uruguayan is at the bottom of the list of players Flick is choosing to play center-back. Just a year ago, when Juventus were trying to sign him, the Uruguayan renewed his contract until June 2031. “Obviously, any footballer wants to play as many minutes as possible, but he accepts that he had to "He needs to stop and work. A summer move? He's only focused on Barça," a source very close to the player told this newspaper. "Ask thestaff "He's constantly studying and watching football to adapt to Flick's style and what the manager asks of him," he concludes. Araujo is facing a new challenge.