Barcelona’s Ronald Araujo has been granted indefinite leave after discussions with the club, following a challenging period that included a Champions League red card and recent criticism from fans.
According to a report from The New York Times via The Athletic, Ronald Araújo will be unavailable for Barcelona’s upcoming matches as he takes an indefinite leave of absence.
The defender’s absence was confirmed by coach Hansi Flick, who described the situation as “a private matter.”
Araujo missed the recent win over Deportivo Alavés — originally attributed to an alleged stomach virus — but Spanish media now indicate the Uruguayan centre-back has requested time away to recover mentally and emotionally.
Sources say his agents met with club management on Monday to negotiate support for Araujo’s psychological recovery.
The decision follows heavy criticism directed at him after his red card in last week’s heavy Champions League defeat to Chelsea F.C..
Despite being physically fit, Araujo reportedly hasn’t trained since and is not in the right mindset to play. The club has not set a return date, prioritising his wellbeing over time-based targets.
Barcelona’s leadership — including coach Flick, sporting director Deco and president Joan Laporta — have publicly expressed support for Araujo, urging respect for his privacy and underlining the club’s commitment to his full recovery.