Ronald Araujo was back at the Ciutat Esportiva on Tuesday, even though the first team had the day off. The defender chose to train anyway, adding extra work as FC Barcelona move into the stretch of the season where margins get thinner and decisions get tougher.
It is a small detail, but not an irrelevant one. Araujo is trying to build momentum again.
The 26-year-old has been piecing things together since November, when he was sent off against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the UEFA Champions League
and later stepped away to deal with mental health struggles. He asked for time. There was a trip to Jerusalem, then a return to Uruguay over the winter break before rejoining the squad.
His comeback has been measured. A brief appearance in the Spanish Super Cup final against Real Madrid in Saudi Arabia. Short outings in Europe against Slavia Prague and Copenhagen. A few league minutes. Then, earlier this month, a start in the Copa del Rey quarterfinal against Albacete.
It was against lower level opposition, but it was a good night for the Uruguayan. Araujo started, competed well, and scored Barcelona’s second goal after Lamine Yamal had opened the scoring. The strike settled the match and sent Barça into the semifinals. It was his third goal of the season, following earlier efforts against Real Oviedo and Girona in La Liga.
Afterward, he spoke openly about what it meant. “It is very important for me, for confidence and to keep growing. I am doing great work, going step by step. I think I had a great match and helped the team also up front. We deserved to be in the semifinal, and for us it is important to play a final and win titles. We had a great match, created chances… but the Cup is like this and games are not decided until the end.”
He also embraced Hansi Flick at full time and later explained why. “He is like a father for us. We care a lot about him. He knows how to manage each player’s situation. I hugged him because he has been spectacular with me.”
The reaction inside the club has been supportive. Joan Laporta said, “We are very satisfied with the return of the captain, and his goal gave us peace of mind.” Gerard Martín added, “We are very happy for him.”
There is also a practical side to all this. Andreas Christensen remains sidelined, and Pau Cubarsí and Eric García have taken on heavy workloads. Barcelona’s defensive line under Flick leaves space to defend, and Araujo’s pace and physicality are well suited to those situations.
Araujo has the tools to be one of the best defenders in the world, but in crucial moments he’s often made mistakes. That led to a crisis of confidence. The defender is doing his best to re-establish himself as a top centerback. Flick is hoping that is the case.
