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By TARA ANSON-WALSH, FOOTBALL REPORTER Published: 08: 24 AEDT, 2 December 2025 | Updated: 09: 01 AEDT, 2 December 2025 14 View comments Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo has been granted indefinite leave from football, a week after he was sent off in their 3-0 Champions League defeat against Chelsea, according to reports in Spain. The club has reportedly allowed the 26-year-old Uruguay international time away as he attempts to address mental health issues that have affected his performances this season. Araujo has made 15 appearances for Barca in all competitions this campaign, with his latest ending in a second yellow card before half-time for a sliding challenge on Marc Cucurella at Stamford Bridge. Barcelona initially attributed his absence from their weekend La Liga win over Alaves to a stomach bug. However, head coach Hansi Flick has now revealed that Araujo has been dealing with private issues, with reports claiming since his sending-off against Chelsea, and even some time before, he has felt he is 'not at his best mentally and psychologically'. 'Ronald is not ready at the moment, ' the German coach said ahead of Barcelona's league game against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday night. Barca boss Hansi Flick has revealed that 26-year-old Ronald Araujo has been dealing with private issues, with reports claiming he is 'not at his best mentally and psychologically' Araujo has made 15 appearances for Barca in all competitions this campaign, with his latest ending in a second yellow card before half-time for a sliding challenge on Marc Cucurella Barca president Joan Laporta has thrown his weight behind Araujo, saying: 'He’s had a tough time, and I want to tell him that we’re behind him and no one person is responsible for defeats' 'It's a private situation. I don't want to say more. Please also respect it. This is what I can say and what I want to say. ' Flick’s comments follow remarks from Barca president Joan Laporta, who said on Friday that he wanted to 'support and defend' Araujo. 'He has been heavily criticised, and I don’t think that’s fair, ' Laporta said at an event in Andorra. 'He gives his all on the pitch, he’s our captain, and now he needs to get through this difficult period because he’s a very emotional person with strong feelings. 'He’s had a tough time, and I want to tell him that we’re behind him, that he needs to turn the page because here we all win and we all lose, and no one person is responsible for defeats or victories. ' The centre-back has made 190 first-team appearances for Barca since joining in 2018 from Uruguayan side Boston River. Barcelona head into Tuesday's match one point clear of Real Madrid at the top of La Liga, and three ahead of fourth-placed Atletico.
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