Did Hansi Flick hint at Luis Enrique’s part in Ronald Araujo’s anxiety? | OneFootball

Hansi Flick appeared to caution opposition coaches about the impact of their words after Ronald Araujo revealed a prolonged struggle with anxiety and returned from leave for depression.

Speaking about Araujo, the Barcelona manager praised his courage and said those responsible for players, including rival coaches, must consider the consequences of what they say and take care of them, adding he would one day speak about how it began around a year and a half ago and that something said was not right. La Vanguardia reports that in an October 2024 documentary, Luis Enrique told his Paris Saint-Germain squad to let Araujo have the ball to provoke errors, calling him a top player who struggles building from the back.

In May 2024 Araujo was sent off early against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, Barcelona lost 4-1, and Ilkay Gundogan criticised his decision-making. After a four to five month injury lay-off, he could not dislodge Pau Cubarsi and Inigo Martinez on his return last season.

He was on the pitch at the end of Barcelona’s Champions League semi-final defeat to Inter and received further flak for the Italian equaliser and winner.

On Tuesday Araujo said he had endured anxiety for around a year and a half before stepping away, and that his condition worsened before the break. He added that social media had been devastating, particularly once abuse reached his family, including a message wishing death on his two daughters that deeply affected his wife.

Source: Football Espana