"The Uruguayan defender, usually one of the team's most mentally resilient players, has been struggling since the heavy 0-3 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, a match in which his mistake directly contributed to the opening goal. As the emotional weight of that night lingered, Araujo reached a point where he felt unable to perform at his usual level and asked the club for permission to step away."
"During this time, he has travelled to Israel to embark on a brief spiritual retreat, an opportunity for him to clear his mind, explore a different cultural and religious environment, and find the calm he currently needs. The trip is not intended as a long absence, but rather a short period of reflection, sightseeing and emotional recovery. Within the football world, there has been widespread empathy for his situation."
Ronald Araujo has stepped away from Barcelona after ongoing emotional distress following a 0-3 defeat at Stamford Bridge in which his error contributed to the opening goal. He requested time to disconnect, reset emotionally and recover from a period of significant mental stress, and the club prioritised his well-being over competitive considerations. He has been absent for two weeks and four matches, travelling to Israel for a brief spiritual retreat to clear his mind, explore a different cultural and religious environment, and regain calm. Both Barcelona and the Uruguayan national team have publicly expressed solidarity, and the club will not rush his return.
Read at Barca Universal
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