Ronald Araujo has opened up on the 'very difficult' period he endured last season, which saw him take a month-long mental health break and suffer World Cup injury woes with Uruguay before his Liverpool loan reignited his career
Ronald Araujo speaking during an interview with AUFTV
Ronald Araujo has opened up on his transfer to Liverpool(Image: AUFTV)
Ronald Araujo has acknowledged that Liverpool provided exactly what he required to revitalize his career following a 'very difficult' spell last season. The Reds secured the Uruguayan on loan from Barcelona in August and he has swiftly become a key figure at Anfield.
Having appeared in all seven fixtures under Andoni Iraola thus far, he has cemented his position as the new manager's preferred option at right-back. However, his resurgence on Merseyside comes after a testing period for both club and country.
Araujo took a month-long mental health break midway through last season amid severe criticism, while injury subsequently left him sidelined as Uruguay endured an early World Cup elimination.
While the 27-year-old maintains he had nothing to prove following his switch to Anfield, he concedes Liverpool assisted him in overcoming his earlier difficulties, reports the Liverpool Echo.
"Truthfully, I am very happy (at Liverpool). Very, very comfortable," he said. "From the first moment I arrived, they made me feel very at ease.
"The team-mates, the coaching staff and obviously the fans, they made me feel at home from the start. That helps. It gives you confidence to perform on the pitch and give your all.
"I am really happy with this moment. I'll just keep working hard as I have been doing and I hope it will be a great season for us.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 15: Ronald Araujo of Liverpool during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield on September 15, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Ronald Araujo has played every game for Liverpool so far this season(Image: Getty Images)
"No, no, no (I didn't feel like I had anything to prove) because I don't do things to answer people or to try and prove anything.
"I know what I am worth, I know what I have and I know what I can do as a player and I am very convinced of that. I simply enjoy playing football.
"I now have the continuity I was looking for and I know what I am capable of as a player when I have that continuity and that confidence.
"That's what I'm doing. I'm enjoying playing, doing what I love most and that's where the fruits of the labor are seen. I am someone who works extremely hard and the results show in your work."
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 9: Ronald Araujo of Liverpool and Andoni Iraola, Manager of Liverpool celebrate after winning the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Liverpool FC and Atletico de Madrid at Anfield on September 9, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
Ronald Araujo has emerged as Andoni Iraola's preferred right-back at Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)
Araujo made his comeback for Uruguay during the extended international break, featuring in two of three friendly fixtures against Japan and South Korea, having been sidelined through a muscle injury during the summer's World Cup.
Uruguay was eliminated at the group stage while he watched from the sidelines, a bitter blow that followed previous injuries which had ruled him out entirely at the 2022 World Cup and restricted him to an unused squad role at the 2021 Copa America.
The central defender was delighted to reclaim his international place under new head coach Diego Forlan, speaking candidly about the immense frustration of seeing his World Cup aspirations repeatedly derailed by injury, while also addressing the criticism directed at him throughout last season.
"The truth is (I am) very well. Very well, very happy to be back here (with Uruguay)," he told AUFTV. "It's always, always nice to come and be with the national team, represent the country and share time with my team-mates. So I'm happy, happy for this new stage.
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"I'm going to be very sincere. The truth is it (being injured at the World Cup) was very difficult. Very difficult for me and for my family as well. The family suffers through it and in the end those are two very important competitions that I couldn't be a part of.
"It's tough, it's tough. It's tough because you work so hard for that, to be able to be with the national team and to be able to experience one of the most beautiful stages in the world as a footballer.
"And it's very difficult. It's very difficult not to achieve it. In the end you work and give everything, give your all to be there but it didn't happen once again.
"It hurts me, it hurts me. And maybe I also understand at times the questioning and the criticism, whatever it is that happens, I understand because in the end it's our job.
ZAPOPAN, MEXICO - JUNE 26: Ronald Araujo #4 of Uruguay warms up prior to the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group H match between Uruguay and Spain at Guadalajara Stadium on June 26, 2026 in Zapopan, Mexico. (Photo by Ryan Pierse - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
Ronald Araujo missed out on an appearance at the World Cup through injury(Image: Ryan Pierse - FIFA, FIFA via Getty Images)
"I'm not going to tell you that I agree because in the end you're never in agreement when you're being criticized. But personally I also feel that responsibility of not being there. It is something that I truly feel and it hurts me a lot.
"But those are just things in life and life is a little like that. You have those difficulties that you have to know how to overcome, look forward and to keep working hard.
"I know what I can contribute to the national team. I firmly believe that a very beautiful stage is coming. And I mean not just for the group but for me too.
"I am convinced that I will bring much joy to my country and to my family. In the end, I am Uruguayan and I feel it deeply. I love my country.
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA - SEPTEMBER 28: Giorgian De Arrascaeta of Uruguay celebrates after scores team's second goal during the international friendly match between South Korea and Uruguay at Seoul World Cup Stadium on September 28, 2026 in Seoul, South Korea. (Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)
Ronald Araujo has been back in contention for Uruguay during the international break(Image: Getty Images)
"I am convinced that I am going to bring them a lot of joy. And I work for that. And I am going to work much harder than I worked before to be able to achieve it and give everything that I want, what I yearn for, that dream of every player.
"I can give them one of the most beautiful titles there is. And I am going to give it my all and pour my heart and soul into it, to be there and to win a title."
He went on to say: "We are fortunate to be able to work at what we most like to do and that gives me the desire to keep moving forward and to keep enjoying it despite the difficulties to get back up.
"Not just in football but in life as well. It's about falling, getting back up and trying again. For us Uruguayans, it's in our blood. Getting back up, trying again and not giving up.
"That is what I try to implement in my life and my career. That is how I work. In the end, despite the difficulties, I am always smiling and convinced that the best is yet to come. I have no doubt that the best is yet to come."