The real cause is not physical - Barcelona grant extended leave to key player | OneFootball

Club fully supports the Uruguayan

The real cause is not physical - Barcelona grant extended leave to key player

Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo has been absent from training in recent days for reasons that go far beyond the initial explanation of stomach virus.

According to multiple Spanish reports including Sport, the Uruguayan international is currently dealing with psychological stress prompting the club to give him full space to recover.

Not injury.. but mental health issue

The Catalan press confirms that Araujo has not trained with the squad since Wednesday at Stamford Bridge and while early indications suggested minor illness, the real issue is described as mental not physical.

On Friday, Araujo held meeting in Barcelona with his representatives, club executives and technical staff

During the discussion the defender made it clear that he is physically fine but not mentally stable enough to train or compete at normal levels.

Barcelona show full understanding

Barcelona have responded with complete support and zero pressure allowing the centre back to step away for as long as he needs.

According to Sport, the club considers Araujo’s honesty “commendable” and believes such situations while common in football are rarely discussed publicly despite being important to address.

The club insists that the player will decide the pace of his return and that there is no fixed timeline. The priority is safeguarding his well being in what is described as “delicate personal phase.”