Football also tells captivating stories. Like the one from Ronald Araújo. The Uruguayan central defender asked to stop, to rest personally and mentally, after being sent off against Chelsea in Stamford Bridge on November 25, 2025, on the fourth day of Champions League. He left the Barca inferior before the break and the team ended the game losing 3-0. An anxiety disorder prevented him from playing and forced him to disconnect for two months.
In Albacetewith the quarterfinals being played in a single match, Araujo was once again a starter. It was the best news for a Barça very agitated by the changes in the lineup. The captain was also one more. This time following Eric Garcia in the defensive axis.
Araujo found a double reason to remember Carlos Belmonte’s game. For possession and, above all, because he celebrated his comeback by scoring a header. In the 56th minute, after a corner taken by Rashfordthe Uruguayan defender finished off the happiness with an impeccable header. And he celebrated by approaching the band and hugging Hansi movie for his management and treatment during the delicate moments he experienced during this period of time, which were not easy at all. The coach ended up replacing him, seeing him exhausted.
It was his third goal so far this season, after finding the net against Oviedo and against Girona in LaLiga. He then scored in two tournaments. A comeback in the 6th minute against Elche, the minute of the Spanish Super Cup to celebrate the title against Real Madrid, the 11th against Slavia of Prague and the 18 against Copenhagen in the Champions League.
Also read
This time luck but, above all, his good professional work accompanied him. Barça had so much confidence in him that they opted in this winter market to sign a right-back like Cancelo. I always waited for your return
