Ronald Araújo Opens Up And Speaks Frankly About His Anxiety

Top-level football often highlights strength, intensity, and resilience, but rarely shows the emotional vulnerability behind the scenes. This time, it was Ronald Araújo, defender for FC Barcelona, who chose to speak openly and without filters about the personal battle he faced with prolonged anxiety that eventually developed into depression. His testimony reveals an internal struggle that unfolded alongside his professional career.

Known for his physical power, leadership, and competitive edge, the Uruguayan center back admitted that for a long period he tried to push through the pressure without asking for help. Eventually, however, he reached a breaking point and made the decision to stop and prioritize his well-being.

According to Ronald Araújo, the issue did not originate from a single match, but from accumulated strain over more than a year. While many point to his red card against Chelsea as a turning point, the defender clarified that his emotional decline had started long before that moment, affecting both his professional and personal life.

He acknowledged that he no longer felt like himself on or off the pitch. Constant demands, key-match mistakes, and extreme self-expectation combined to create a difficult mental state. Over time, persistent anxiety escalated into depression.

Rather than hiding it, Araújo chose to make it public, delivering a clear message: professional footballers also struggle and need support.

The FC Barcelona defender made an uncommon choice in elite football culture — he paused. He stepped back from competition to begin a recovery process with medical professionals, supported closely by his family and inner circle. He also noted that his spiritual life played an important role during that period.

Inside FC Barcelona, the response was supportive. Teammates and staff recognized the human side of the situation and backed his decision to stop. That environment allowed him to work on his recovery without immediate performance pressure.

Since returning to action, Araújo says he feels more balanced and views his profession differently. He reports enjoying football again and separating performance from personal worth. In his words, the sport cannot be the only measure of a player’s life.

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