Seeking Help Was Key! Araujo Breaks Silence On Battle With Anxiety

Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo has opened on his battle with anxiety and depression for over a year, a move that saw him take a break from football last November.

Araujo was given some time out by Barcelona as he traveled to religious sites in Bethlehem and Jerusalem and spent time back in Uruguay with his family.

The Uruguay international now says he feel like a different person after realising he needed help, asked Barça to take a mental health break after being sent off in the Champions League defeat to Chelsea earlier this season.

Araujo added that the game at Stamford Bridge was when he realised he needed to seek support from professionals.

Ronald Araujo celebrates after scoring for Barcelona against Albacete. (Photo by Maciej Rogowski/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)

“It was an accumulation of things,” Araújo told Mundo Deportivo of his decision to request time off. “I had not been well for a while. I had anxiety for 18 months and it became depression.

“You try to be strong, maybe because of the roots you have, where you come from, to move forward, but I did not feel good.

“It was not just related to sport, it was also on a family and personal level. I didn’t feel myself and that moment [the red card at Chelsea] served as a click to say: ‘Something is happening, I need to ask for help.’

“I am the type of person that usually keeps everything to myself, but you have to understand there are professionals that can help you, that can give you the tools to manage certain situations. I needed to ask for help and explain what I was going through to be able to recover.”

Ronald Araujo celebrates the victory after winning the Spanish Super Cup final match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid. (Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Araujo returned to Barca’s training in January, making four substitute appearances that month before scoring on his first start since taking a mental health break in last week’s 2-1 Copa del Rey quarterfinal win at Albacete.

“I have learned a lot in this time,” he said. “I feel different, happier. I can enjoy what I do, which is play football, and that helps a lot.

“You see things from another point of view. I feel that the worst has now passed. During the time I stopped, I was able to work with professionals, with my family, too, and also [travel] spiritually, which was what I needed. I feel a different person.”

Araújo has been at Barcelona since 2018, initially joining the B team before being promoted to the first team.

He has subsequently made 195 appearances for the Spanish giantin all competitions, scoring 14 goals, and he is now part of the leadership group along with Frenkie de Jong, Raphinha and Pedri.