​Araújo: "I Really Don't Know What Happened at Real Madrid; Leave? I Just Renewed, I'm Happy at Barça"

Barcelona captain Ronald Araújo spoke to Marca about winning the La Liga title this season, his experience as captain, his personal growth, and his decision to step away from playing due to mental health issues.

Q: Real Madrid were in the midst of a storm with the Valverde and Tchouaméni incident. Did it surprise you, especially with your Uruguayan compatriot Valverde involved?

Araújo: When things like that happen, you are always surprised. But I really don't know exactly what happened. I see what others say, but I prefer to ask the person directly to understand what really happened, rather than just reading the news. I can't explain it because I haven't spoken to him about it yet. When I see him, I'm not sure I will actually ask him about it.

Q: After that incident, many said similar things in the dressing room are not uncommon. Is that true?

Araújo: You live with everyone all year long. In football, there is competition, training, clashes, friction... these things happen. What matters is how you handle it, that is the key. Anyone who knows football knows this is quite normal.

Q: Without naming names, could you give a similar example?

Araújo: I'll keep that to myself.

Q: On a personal level, how do you feel after a season that hasn't been easy?

Araújo: I feel good and happy now. I enjoy playing and training. I see things from a different perspective.

It hasn't been an easy season; I had to accept a different role. But I can say this is one of the seasons where I have learned and grown the most. I have been able to focus on myself and learn to see things in another way, to put things into perspective. I have a lot of belief in myself, and I feel my best years are ahead of me.

Q: How did you decide to stop after the match against Chelsea?

Araújo: It was a build-up of many things. I knew I had a problem because I didn't feel good. I wasn't happy. At home, I wasn't the husband and father my wife and children needed.

I had been like this for a long time, accumulating things, not talking, keeping everything inside until it eventually exploded. It was the action against Chelsea that made me start to reflect and realise something was really wrong. I knew I needed help and needed to work my way out of that difficult period.

Q: How does someone explode?

Araújo: Many things build up little by little. Not only on the football pitch but also some things from childhood that develop and accumulate.

The action against Chelsea was key. I already had a yellow card and shouldn't have made that tackle. It was clear my head wasn't right. I remember coming back to the dressing room alone and telling myself, "Enough." I realised I needed to talk to my wife, to the club, and seek help. It was one of the best decisions, if not the best, of my life.

Q: Players train many hours on the pitch, but is the mental side too often neglected?

Araújo: Without a doubt, too little. The mental side should be trained more because the mind is key. I, for example, trained a lot and took care of my body, but I wasn't taking care of the most important thing – the mind, which controls everything.

We need to invest more in this, as it would be good for the club as an institution and would help players maintain good condition and perform at their best. We need to talk about this more.

Q: How did your teammates and Hansi Flick react to your decision?

Araújo: Brilliantly. They surprised me because they accepted it in a very natural and respectful way. Deco was the first to talk to me, along with [Alejandro] Echevarría, Bojan [Krkic], the president, and all my close circle – they were all very good to me. I will be forever grateful to them, to Barcelona, and to my teammates.

They were crucial from the moment I made the decision. They encouraged me, sent me messages, and trusted me. It was very beautiful and gave me a lot of strength to keep moving forward.

Q: Has Ronald Araújo changed since then?

Araújo: I am a different person. I have rediscovered my enjoyment of playing football, the thing I love most. I also enjoy spending time with my wife, my children, and my friends. I put many things into perspective now. I've grown a lot during this time. I firmly believe my career still has many great years ahead.

Q: Is there any possibility of you leaving this summer, or will you stay at Barcelona?

Araújo: My contract runs until 2031. I just renewed it. I am very happy at Barcelona.

Q: Matchday 3 of the World Cup: Uruguay vs Spain. How do you hope to approach that game?

Araújo: I hope to come into it in the best possible shape. It will be a great game against a great national team. I hope to be there with good form and rhythm. I am very confident.

Q: Can you pick Spain's starting lineup for that match?

Araújo: Spain have many great players, many of whom are my club teammates. Personally, I would put Gavi and ten others out there. But how the team lines up is the coach's decision.

Q: You will face many teammates. But on the pitch, if Lamine Yamal comes charging at you, you still have to go in hard, right?

Araújo: Everyone represents their own country and wants the best for their nation. After the game, we're all friends, but on the pitch, we are playing the World Cup. You have to give everything for your country. It will depend on the situation, but everything will be within the bounds of respect and professionalism.

Q: What are Uruguay and Spain's chances respectively?

Araújo: Both are great national teams. Spain just won the European Championship; they have a great chance and are among the favourites to win the World Cup. But we also have many good players. We will give everything, and I'm sure we will cause a surprise.

Source: Marca