Ronald Araujo Steps Away: Barcelona Skipper Granted 'Indefinite Leave' After Chelsea Red Card Fiasco

Last Updated:December 02, 2025, 13:18 IST

As per The Athletic, Barcelona has agreed to give the defender all the time he needs away from football, following backlash from the Chelsea debacle.

Ronald Araujo with Hansi Flick (X)

Barcelona captain Ronald Araujo has been granted an indefinite leave of absence after personally requesting time away from the club, according to multiple reports.

The Uruguayan centre-back was already a surprise omission from Barça’s squad for Saturday’s 3–1 win over Alavés, with manager Hansi Flick publicly attributing his absence to a “stomach virus."

Behind the scenes, though, the situation is far more delicate.

Araujo’s last appearance came in Barcelona’s bruising 3–0 Champions League defeat to Chelsea, where he was sent off just before halftime for a clumsy trip on Marc Cucurella.

The red card proved costly — and the backlash has reportedly taken a heavy mental toll on the 26-year-old defender.

The error has sparked significant criticism, but inside the dressing room, support for Araujo remains unwavering. Teammates and staff are said to be fully behind their second captain as he navigates what has been a deeply difficult week.

Barça sporting director Deco met with Araujo’s representatives on Monday and, per The Athletic, agreed to give the defender all the time he needs away from football. The club will not impose a timeline for his return.

Flick, who declined to divulge details, asked for privacy and understanding. “It is a private situation, I don’t want to say more," he told reporters. “And please, if you can respect it, I would appreciate it."

Reflecting on the defeat at Stamford Bridge, Flick had earlier said: “We’re all feeling down. The defeat was tough. We thought we could have won. We have to be optimistic for the next match."

Despite the turbulence, Barcelona remain top of La Liga and face a high-pressure test next: a home clash against fourth-placed Atletico Madrid on Tuesday.

(with agency inputs)

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Siddarth Sriram

After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His...Read More

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