Article by Aurelian Botezatu – Published on Tuesday, 09 December 2025, 14:38 / Updated on Tuesday, 09 December 2025 14:59
Ronald Araujothe second captain of Barcelona, could leave the team permanently – announced the Spanish radio station “Cadena Cope”. The 26-year-old footballer is in poor form and was recently sent on holiday due to the mental problems he is dealing with.
The Uruguayan defender's depression was aggravated after the “red” seen against Chelsea (0-3), on November 25, in the Champions League. Barcelona have given Araujo an indefinite break to manage his mental issues.
More recently, however, during a show on the Cadena Cope radio station, the moderator Juanma Castano made a worrying revelation: “It's worse than we think. Araujo's situation is very serious and we will see if he will ever play for FC Barcelona again. It's a delicate situation“.
Joan Laporta: “Ronald Araujo is a very emotional and sensitive person”
Under contract with Barca until the summer of 2031, Araujo is currently with his family and under the care of a psychiatrist. “Barcelona has promised all its support and will give him all the time he needs to regain his mental stability,” the club said.
The president of the Catalans, Joan Laporta, recently confirmed this in a press conference. He described Araujo as “a very emotional and sensitive person”. He also emphasized that the time-out was decided in close consultation with the player: “He was very grateful to me and said he will come back motivated. This is a difficult matter that must be left to the experts.”
Joan Laporta: “Araujo was unlucky with that red card”
In other news, Laporta defended the Uruguayan defender for his red card against Chelsea. Of the elimination in London, he said: “He was unlucky because he came into the game with too much intensity.”
Regarding the first yellow card, taken by Araujo for protests, Laporta did not understand the referee: “He should not have shown him the first yellow card. That was the first thing that affected him in that match“.
