Real Madrid forward called Barcelona defender to offer support during mental health break | OneFootball

Vinicius Jr. is easily one of the most misunderstood players in La Liga, with the Real Madrid forward often becoming the main subject of growing racism in Spanish football stadiums.

But the Brazilian has continued to show brilliant sportsmanship off the field, this time by becoming one of the first opponents to help struggling Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo.

Vinicius Jr’s phone call to Araujo

As revealed by AS, Vinicius personally called Araujo to offer motivation and support during the defender’s most difficult moments at the end of last year.

The call came at a critical juncture when Araujo was opting for a detox from the professional game.

His decision came after the defender was struggling with a period of anxiety and depression, stemming from a wave of online harassment following a costly error against Chelsea earlier in the season.

Araujo and Vinicius Jr. have been fierce rivals on the pitch. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

The intensity of the criticism was so severe that the defender was forced to take an indefinite leave of absence to focus on his mental health.

What makes this act particularly heartwarming is the fierce history between the two on the pitch; for years, Araujo has been deployed as the primary tactical shield to stop the Brazilian during El Clasico.

Despite their direct competition on the flank, Vinicius showed immense sportsmanship by reaching out to his opponent in a moment of vulnerability.

Vinicius was not the only Real Madrid figure to display such empathy. During this challenging period, Real Madrid veteran Dani Carvajal and midfielder Dani Ceballos also notably showed their affection and support toward the defender.

Such kind acts are often welcome at a time when the relationship between Barcelona and Real Madrid has not been the best and is deteriorating with each passing day.