Barcelona’s Araújo on anxiety: Seeking help was key to recovery
Barcelona defender Ronald Araújo has shared how enduring anxiety and depression for more than a year prompted him to take a hiatus from football last November.
Araújo, who expressed that he feels transformed after recognizing the need for assistance, requested a mental health break from Barça following his red card in the Champions League loss to Chelsea earlier this season.
The Uruguay international stated that the incident at Stamford Bridge was the moment he understood he needed to reach out for professional help.
“It was a buildup of various factors,” Araújo told Mundo Deportivo regarding his choice to take time off. “I had not been feeling well for some time. I dealt with anxiety for 18 months, which eventually turned into depression.
“You attempt to remain strong, perhaps due to your background and where you come from, to push through, but I was not feeling well.
“It was not solely related to sports; it also affected my family and personal life. I did not feel like myself, and that moment [the red card at Chelsea] acted as a trigger to say: ‘Something is wrong, I need to seek help.’
“I am the kind of person who typically keeps everything inside, but one must recognize that there are professionals who can assist you, who can provide the tools to handle certain situations. I needed to reach out for help and articulate what I was experiencing to facilitate my recovery.”
During his absence, Araújo visited religious sites in Bethlehem and Jerusalem and spent time with his family in Uruguay.
He returned to training with Barça in January, making four substitute appearances that month before scoring in his first start since his mental health break during last week’s 2-1 Copa del Rey quarterfinal victory over Albacete.
“I have gained a lot of insight during this period,” he remarked. “I feel different, more content. I can relish what I do, which is playing football, and that contributes significantly.
“You begin to see things from a different perspective. I believe the worst is now behind me. During my time away, I was able to collaborate with professionals, spend time with my family, and also [travel] spiritually, which was essential for me. I feel like a changed person.”
Araújo also expressed gratitude to the club for their support, noting that he has received numerous messages from other players who have faced similar challenges.
“The club was exceptional,” he stated. “I am very thankful to [sporting director] Deco, the president [Joan Laporta], and the coach [Hansi Flick].
“From the very beginning, they comprehended the situation and did everything possible to assist me in my recovery.
“My teammates, too; the volume of messages and support I received from them was heartwarming, as well as from rivals, which took me by surprise. Players from teams in Italy, Germany… all commending me for taking a stand, some because they had experienced similar situations and wished they had done the same but lacked the courage. They encouraged me not to feel guilty because what I had done was remarkable.”
Araújo has been with Barcelona since 2018, initially joining the B team before advancing to the first team.
He has since made 195 appearances for Barça across all competitions, netting 14 goals, and is now part of the leadership group alongside Frenkie de Jong, Raphinha, and Pedri.
