Barcelona captain Ronald Araujo has delivered one of his most honest interviews to date, reflecting on a season that brought trophies, personal challenges and an important turning point away from the pitch.
The Uruguayan defender experienced a campaign full of contrasts.
Barcelona lifted both La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup under Hansi Flick, but the disappointment of falling short in the Champions League remains fresh in his mind.
Looking back on the season, Araujo made it clear that the team has taken important steps forward despite missing out on European glory.
“The truth is, it’s been a very good season. We’ve won two fantastic titles. We worked hard for LaLiga all year round, and the Super Cup was a special occasion, beating our biggest rivals.
“We missed out on winning the most important one, which is the Champions League, but we’re on the right track.
“We have a young team that’s growing and sooner or later it will happen,” he told MARCA.
Embracing the leadership role
The defender’s role changed significantly this season. Although he featured in 38 matches, he started only 16 of them and accumulated 1,614 minutes across all competitions.
Ronald Araujo, Barcelona player
Araujo is one of Barcelona’s captains. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
Despite the reduced playing time, Araujo was handed one of the biggest honours at the club when he became Barcelona’s first captain.
“I feel privileged. It’s tremendous to be captain of a team like Barcelona. It’s true that it also entails a great responsibility, but I feel capable of handling it.”
The Uruguayan also commented on recent tensions at Real Madrid involving fellow countryman Federico Valverde.
However, he avoided speculation, explaining, “You’re always surprised by these things when they happen. But I really don’t know what happened.
“I read what people are saying, but rather than just reading it, I prefer to ask the person directly to find out what really happened.
“I can’t offer any explanations because I haven’t spoken to him about it. And when I see him, I don’t know if I’ll actually ask him about it.”
Overcoming the toughest period
The most revealing part of the interview centred around Araujo’s mental health struggles and the impact they had on both his professional and personal life.
The Barcelona defender admitted that a difficult period had been building for some time before reaching a breaking point following his sending-off against Chelsea in the Champions League.
“I knew something was wrong because I didn’t feel right. I wasn’t happy. At home, I wasn’t the husband or father they needed.
Ronald Araujo of FC Barcelona with Hansi Flick
Araujo was sent off against Chelsea. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
“I’d been like that for quite some time, letting things pile up, not talking about them, keeping it all to myself, until I reached a point where I snapped.
“It was that incident against Chelsea that made me take stock and realise something was wrong with me. I knew I needed help and had to work to get through that difficult period.”
The defender then revealed the conversation he had with himself after the match.
“It was clear that I wasn’t in the right frame of mind. I remember going off to the dressing room on my own and saying to myself: ‘Enough is enough.’
“I realised I needed to talk it through with my wife and the club, and ask for help.
“It was the best, or one of the best, decisions of my life.”
According to Araujo, the support of his teammates played a major role in his recovery.
“I was really surprised because they took it in a very natural and respectful way.”
Now, the Barcelona captain believes he has emerged stronger from the experience.
“I’m enjoying playing football again, which is what I love most. I enjoy spending time with my wife, my children and my friends.
“I put things into perspective much more. I’ve grown a lot during this time. I firmly believe that great years lie ahead in my career.”
On his future
The interview also brought clarity regarding his future. Despite speculation surrounding Barcelona’s defensive plans, Araujo dismissed any suggestion of a departure.
“My contract runs until 2031; I’ve just renewed it and I’m very happy at Barcelona.”
Lastly, he also spoke about facing Spain in the World Cup group stage, where he will be up against several Barcelona teammates.
“It’s a great match against a top team. I want to go into it in good form and with good momentum. I’m confident.”