Barcelona defender asks for time to recover mentally, no date set for return – report | OneFootball

FC Barcelona centre-back and captain Ronald Araujo is going through a delicate moment. Since his red card against Chelsea last week, and also for some time before that, he has felt that he is not at his best mentally and psychologically.

The 26-year-old centre-back missed the weekend clash against Alaves and will also be unavailable to face Atletico Madrid on Tuesday.

It was suggested that the Uruguayan international was targeting a return at the weekend against Real Betis. However, there appears to be a new major development in the Araujo case.

Araujo asks for time off

According to Mundo Deportivo, Araujo has asked Barcelona to give him time to recover mentally and psychologically from the pressure he is experiencing.

The Blaugrana have closed ranks around him and have granted this recovery period without setting any deadline because they want him to return at one hundred percent.

Araujo is a highly committed player. He has shown this by accepting spells on the bench without complaints and by playing out of position whenever Hansi Flick has needed him to, including as a striker.

Araujo taking time off to focus on mental health. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

Because of this, he believes that the best thing for himself, for the team and for the club is to raise his hand and ask for time to recover. Barça accepted without hesitation because they consider that the priority is for him to regain full mental strength.

This request for time has no set endpoint because such situations cannot be tied to dates, but it is clear that the Uruguayan international is physically fine.

Barcelona fully behind Araujo

Barcelona have put all the necessary support at Araujo’s disposal, offering him the time he needs and providing psychological assistance.

President Joan Laporta publicly backed him last Friday, and he also has the full support of Deco, the director of football, and coach Hansi Flick.

Araujo will now focus on recovering so that he can leave behind the episodes of anxiety he has experienced. He will lean on his family, his agents, who met with Deco today, and also his teammates, who already know he is struggling and have offered him their support.