Ronald Araújo's Situation Highlights the Intense Pressure on Footballers

Ronald Araújo is now in Jerusalem. The “Barcelona” defender, once valued at €80 million and compared to Carles Puyol two years ago, is now even refraining from taking photos with fans.

The team captain requested an indefinite leave following a dismal performance and red card against “Chelsea.” For the first time, Transfermarkt listed his absence as due to “depression.”

This situation is not exclusive to Araújo. In the match against “Chelsea,” his performance was truly unfortunate: his first yellow card was given for arguing with the referee, and his second for a reckless tackle on Marc Cucurella, who had already released the ball.

After the match, Hansi Flick acknowledged: “He shouldn’t have acted like that.” “Barcelona” was left with 10 players and lost 0–3.

Predictably, the easiest “culprit” for the defeat was found. But the question remains: when did we start perceiving football players as emotionless machines?

According to ESPN, Araújo requested time to recover and stated that while physically fit, he is not mentally prepared to compete at the required level. The club granted this request.

Joan Laporta defended the captain publicly, and Pedri called him a “brother.” Even “Real Madrid” representative Xabi Alonso commented, “They are humans, not machines.

We ask far too much of them.” Such support from a prominent figure in a rival club highlights the gravity of the situation.

For Araújo, such psychological blows are not unprecedented. In January 2024, against “Real Madrid” in the Spanish Super Cup, he faced a tough time, during which Vinícius scored a hat-trick, and Araújo himself received a red card.

Two weeks later, after a demanding match against “Villarreal,” Xavi announced his departure. Then came a decisive foul against Bradley Barcola in the quarterfinals against “PSG.”

This was followed by a knee injury, surgery, and missing most of the season. There were grueling contract negotiations, with rumors of the club potentially selling him.

Another low point came in the Champions League match against “Inter,” where Araújo lost a crucial duel with Francesco Acerbi in the 93rd minute. According to Catalunya Radio, Araújo has had multiple anxiety attacks and has been emotionally drained.

Insider Juanma Castaño stated that the situation is “even more serious than it appears” and hinted that Araújo might not play for “Barcelona” again. Marca reported that the Catalan club is considering acquiring a new defender in the winter transfer window if the captain doesn’t recover.

The bitter truth is that we, to some extent, have created this pressure. Social media has turned critique into insult and analysis into a public “trial.”

Gerard Piqué openly said: it’s time to stop turning the internet into a “dumpster” where everyone insults at will. He experienced this firsthand: during political debates around Catalan independence, Piqué faced a massive wave of hatred and learned to ignore it.

“At some point, this will become unhealthy,” he said. But not everyone can build such “armor.”

And not everyone should have to. The reaction from the football community has also been remarkable.

The president of the Uruguayan Football Association, Diego Forlán, emphasized the need to approach the situation with understanding. The Uruguay national team posted a photo of Araújo on social media, captioned: “We’re with you, Ronald.”

According to insider Fabrizio Romano, “Barcelona” is not pressuring the player and currently has no intention of searching for his replacement. This is a crucial point: the club could have sidelined Araújo, attributing everything to a “lack of will,” and sought a “more reliable” defender.

However, they’ve taken a different path: granting indefinite leave and publicly supporting him. Laporta said: “We win together, we lose together.

No one bears responsibility alone.” Araújo is currently reported to be in Israel, visiting Christian holy sites in search of spiritual support.

Some may find this unusual, but everyone has their way of navigating difficulties. At Tel Aviv Airport, he avoided interaction with the press, as he is not in the right state for it now.

Now, there is a question we all need to ask ourselves: what is more important? That Araújo returns to the pitch within a week, only to make another decisive mistake because he’s not mentally ready?

Or that he truly recovers, even if it takes months, and rediscovers himself? Football is increasingly becoming a ruthless conveyor belt: players are “burning out” faster than ever.

Physical injuries are often healed quickly, but psychological wounds are ignored until it’s too late. Then we wonder why talented players contemplate retiring at 26.

Araújo’s story could end in several ways: he might return as the solid defender for whom “Bayern” was once prepared to pay €80 million. Perhaps he will find himself at another club after leaving “Barcelona.”

Or he might indeed choose to end his career. But one thing is clear: if we continue to treat football players as disposable, stories like these will multiply.

And ultimately, we’ll have no one to blame but ourselves. No one knows when Araújo will return.

And that’s okay. Because some things are more important than results.

Arman Tigranyants Read “Zamin” on Telegram!