RonaldAraujo opened his heart to the Times, recounting the most difficult period of his career, marked by anxiety, depression and the need to temporarily interrupt his competitive activity. The former Barcelona defender, now playing for Liverpool, explained how the pressure of professional football and millionaire salaries do not protect against the same psychological problems that afflict everyone.
The drama began during his time at Barcelona, where pressure and some heavy sendings in the Champions League, first against Paris‑Saint‑Germain in 2024 and then against Chelsea, aggravated his anxiety. Last November the player decided to suspend his career for a period of recovery. "I felt the need to take a step back. I hadn't been well for a long time and I no longer felt pleasure in doing what I love most: playing football," he said. Araujo admitted that he had tried for too long to appear strong, hiding his discomfort, and underlined the importance of asking for help from professionals.
The defender also asked to stop generalizing about the mental health of athletes. "Sometimes people think that because footballers earn a lot of money, they can't suffer or go through difficult times. But we face the same problems as everyone else," he explained. He highlighted how we often keep everything inside, trying to show that everything is fine, but that talking is the first step to improving. His speech was met with great empathy, especially as his experience was published at a time when many players face similar pressures.
During his time away from the camp, Araujo returned to Uruguay, finding support in his family and his Christian faith. He thanked Barcelona for the support received, in particular from coach HansiFlick, sporting director Deco and president JoanLaporta. The summer transfer to Liverpool represented a new chapter, where the Uruguayan was able to find his smile again thanks to the goal scored against Villarreal in the 4-3 victory in the Champions League. “It was a magnificent moment,” he said, recalling the celebration shared with the fans.
Araujo concluded the interview with a message of hope for his colleagues: "Many players go through difficult times, but are afraid to talk about it publicly. It's important to confide, because it's precisely from that moment that you start to feel better." With his testimony, the Liverpool defender intends to encourage other footballers to openly address psychological difficulties, demonstrating that mental health is a fundamental issue even in the world of professional football.