Barcelona captain Ronald Araujo opens up about anxiety and depression

The 26-year-old defender took a break from football to seek professional help.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Barcelona captain Ronald Araujo has revealed that he was living with anxiety for a year and a half, which later turned into depression. Araujo was granted indefinite leave by the club in early December and returned to the team at the end of January. He explained that he realized he needed to seek professional help after the Champions League match against Chelsea in November, where he was sent off after 44 minutes. Araujo said the 'worst part is behind' him and that his break from football 'did me very good' and he now feels like a 'totally different person'.

Why it matters

Araujo's openness about his mental health struggles highlights the increasing awareness and importance of addressing mental health issues in professional sports. As a high-profile player, his story can help destigmatize discussions around anxiety and depression, and encourage others to seek support when needed.

The details

Araujo, who has made 195 appearances for Barcelona since joining from Boston River in 2018, said he had been 'playing with' his anxiety and depression. He explained that he is not usually the type of person to ask for help, but realized he had reached a point where he needed to speak to someone in order to recover. After taking a break from football, Araujo made substitute appearances in January before starting and captaining the team against Albacete in the Copa del Rey.

  • In early December, Araujo was granted indefinite leave by Barcelona.
  • Araujo returned to the team at the end of December and made his first start since November 25 in the Copa del Rey win over Albacete on January 31.

The players

Ronald Araujo

The 26-year-old captain of Barcelona who took a break from football to seek help for his anxiety and depression.

Barcelona

The Spanish professional football club that granted Araujo indefinite leave to address his mental health issues.

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What they’re saying

“When the match finished I felt like everything was falling into me. I had been suffering (with) anxiety for a year and a half, and then it turned into depression. I was playing with that. It does not help, because when you're on the pitch you don't feel like yourself.”

— Ronald Araujo, Barcelona captain (Mundo Deportivo)

“It did me very good and now I feel like a totally different person.”

— Ronald Araujo, Barcelona captain (Mundo Deportivo)

What’s next

Araujo will look to continue his recovery and return to full form as Barcelona face Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey on Thursday.

The takeaway

Araujo's openness about his mental health struggles serves as an important reminder of the need for greater support and understanding around issues like anxiety and depression, even at the highest levels of professional sports.