Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo has been granted an indefinite leave of absence by the club, just over a week after his sending-off contributed to a humiliating 3-0 Champions League defeat at Chelsea.
The 26-year-old Uruguay international, who serves as Barcelona's captain, requested the break following discussions between his representatives and sporting director Deco on Monday. The club has committed to providing Araujo with the time he needs to step away from football, amid reports that he has been grappling with mental and psychological challenges that have impacted his form this season. Araujo's absence was initially attributed to a stomach virus during Barcelona's 3-1 La Liga victory over Alaves on Saturday, which propelled Hansi Flick's side to the top of the standings ahead of Real Madrid.
The decision comes in the wake of a turbulent period for the defender, whose last appearance ended in controversy at Stamford Bridge on November 25. Already trailing 1-0 after an own goal by Jules Kounde from a Marc Cucurella corner, Araujo received his first yellow card in the 32nd minute for dissent following a foul call. Just before halftime, he lunged into a reckless sliding challenge on Cucurella, earning a second booking and a red card that left Barcelona with 10 men for the entire second half. Chelsea capitalized swiftly, with Estevao curling in a stunning second goal from a tight angle 10 minutes after the restart, followed by Liam Delap's clinical finish after exploiting Barcelona's high line to beat the offside trap. The result left Barcelona with seven points from five league-phase matches, putting their progression to the knockout rounds under threat ahead of clashes with Eintracht Frankfurt and others.
Post-match, Araujo faced intense backlash from fans and pundits, with some highlighting a pattern of disciplinary errors in high-stakes European fixtures, including a prior red card against Paris Saint-Germain. Flick acknowledged the incident as a turning point, describing the second foul as "not the right move" while emphasizing the need for greater aggression and physicality against top opposition. Despite the criticism, club president Joan Laporta voiced strong support, stating, "He's had a tough time, and I want to tell him that we're behind him and no one person is responsible for defeats."
Ahead of Tuesday's La Liga showdown with Atletico Madrid, Flick addressed Araujo's situation delicately, confirming the defender is "not ready at the moment" due to private matters and urging respect for his privacy. With Gerard Martin filling in at center-back alongside Pau Cubarsi over the weekend, Barcelona's defensive resources will continue to be tested during a congested fixture list, even as they sit atop La Liga on goal difference.
Araujo, who joined Barcelona from Uruguayan side Boston River in 2018 and has since amassed over 190 appearances, has been a cornerstone of the defense, contributing to the 2022-23 La Liga title and earning more than 40 caps for Uruguay, including the captaincy at the 2024 Copa America.
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