Araujo breaks silence on mental health battle: 'Hadn't felt right for over a year and a half'
Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo opens up about his struggle with anxiety and depression that kept him sidelined, and his journey back to feeling like himself again.
Barcelona’s Uruguayan rock at the back has finally opened up about the mental health struggles that kept him away from the pitch for over a month.
The Mental Reset
Ronald Araujo is smiling again. After more than a month away from football due to mental health issues, the Uruguayan defender has returned to first-team action and is feeling like himself once more. His goal against Albacete confirmed his emotional recovery was on track, and now he’s broken his silence about what he’s been through.
“I’ve changed quite a bit because I’ve learned a lot during this time,” Araujo revealed. The Barcelona centre-back has undergone what can only be described as a mental reset, working with professionals to address issues that had been building up for longer than many realized.
A Long-Standing Struggle
The most shocking revelation from Araujo is just how long he’d been suffering before finally seeking help:
“It was a build-up of things. I hadn’t been feeling right for a long time, perhaps more than a year and a half,” he confessed.
What’s particularly eye-opening is that Araujo continued playing through what he now describes as anxiety that eventually developed into depression. The defender explained how he tried to push through, partly due to his upbringing and background, but eventually reached a breaking point.
The Chelsea Turning Point
Araujo pinpoints his red card against Chelsea as the moment everything came crashing down. While he’d already been struggling internally, that match proved to be the catalyst for finally seeking help.
“I had been dealing with anxiety that turned into depression for a year and a half, and I was playing through it,” he admitted. “That doesn’t help because on the pitch you don’t end up feeling like yourself.”
Support and Recovery
The Uruguayan has been touched by the support he’s received during his time away from football. He emphasized that footballers are humans first, with real feelings and struggles that go beyond the pitch.
“We’re people beyond being footballers. It’s not all about money or fame,” Araujo noted, highlighting how mental health issues can affect anyone regardless of profession or status.
Back on Track
Araujo’s return against Albacete, where he even managed to score, was a significant milestone in his recovery journey. He described feeling physically strong despite some expected fatigue after his absence.
The defender now appears to be in a much better place mentally, with a fresh perspective that could make him an even more valuable asset for Barcelona moving forward. His honesty about his struggles might also help others in similar situations realize they’re not alone.