Barcelona and Uruguay defender Ronald Araujo has been granted an indefinite period of leave from football to focus on his mental wellbeing, according to reports emerging from Spain.
Private Issues Behind Absence
The decision comes just a week after the 26-year-old centre-back was sent off during Barcelona's heavy 3-0 Champions League defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Araujo received a second yellow card before half-time for a sliding challenge on former teammate Marc Cucurella.
Initially, the club attributed his subsequent absence from their weekend LaLiga victory over Alaves to a stomach bug. However, head coach Hansi Flick has now confirmed the player is dealing with significant personal challenges.
"Ronald is not ready at the moment," Flick stated ahead of Barcelona's crucial league match against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday. "It's a private situation. I don't want to say more. Please also respect it."
Club Leadership Rallies Around Captain
Spanish media reports indicate that Araujo has felt he is 'not at his best mentally and psychologically' for some time, a situation exacerbated by his sending-off against Chelsea. The club has now officially allowed him time away to address these issues, which have affected his performances this season.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta has publicly thrown his full support behind the player, who has made 190 first-team appearances for the club since joining from Uruguayan side Boston River in 2018.
"He has been heavily criticised, and I don’t think that’s fair," Laporta said at an event in Andorra. "He gives his all on the pitch, he’s our captain, and now he needs to get through this difficult period because he’s a very emotional person with strong feelings."
Laporta added a message of collective responsibility: "He’s had a tough time, and I want to tell him that we’re behind him, that he needs to turn the page because here we all win and we all lose, and no one person is responsible for defeats or victories."
Season Context and Team Focus
Araujo has featured 15 times in all competitions for Barcelona during the current campaign. His leave of absence presents a challenge for Hansi Flick's squad as they navigate a tight title race.
Barcelona currently sit one point clear of rivals Real Madrid at the summit of LaLiga and hold a three-point advantage over fourth-placed Atletico Madrid, whom they were due to face on Tuesday night.
The situation highlights the increasing awareness and sensitivity within top-level football towards player mental health, with a major European club now prioritising a key player's psychological wellbeing over immediate sporting demands.
