Ronald Araujo thanks Barcelona after prioritizing his mental health
The Uruguayan central defender of FC Barcelona, Ronald Araujo, has shared a public message to thank the club and his teammates for the support received during a period in which he stepped away from the team to focus on his psychological well-being. His return to the pitch was immediately crowned with the conquest of the Spanish Super Cup. 🏆
A clear message about self-care
Araujo strongly emphasizes that taking care of the mind and heart does not mean surrendering. With this statement, the footballer seeks to normalize that athletes, and anyone, can attend to their mental health without it being perceived as a weakness. He thus becomes another voice in the high-performance world advocating for talking about these issues without taboos, considering it an essential part for competing at the highest level.
Key points of his statement:- Expresses gratitude for the institutional and locker room support during his absence.
- Emphasizes that caring for psychological well-being is an act of strength, not surrender.
- Seeks to eliminate the stigma associated with these processes in professional sports.
"Taking care of the mind and heart is not surrendering" - Ronald Araujo
A triumphant return in Saudi Arabia
His reintegration into activity coincided with the Spanish Super Cup. Araujo describes it as a privilege and something beautiful to return to competing and, moreover, lift the title after defeating Real Madrid in the final. For the player, closing a complex personal chapter with a collective success of this magnitude represents a special and highly valuable moment.
Context of the sporting triumph:- Barcelona was proclaimed champion of the 2024 Spanish Super Cup.
- The final was held in Saudi territory and the opponent was Real Madrid.
- Araujo participated in the decisive match, marking his return with a trophy.
Winning on the field and personally
The center-back not only had to mark players like Vinicius Jr. in the final, but also face the personal challenge of setting boundaries and prioritizing his health. Araujo closes a week in which, according to his own reflections, he can affirm that he managed to win on both fronts: the sporting one, with a title, and the human one, by taking care of himself and sharing a powerful message.