Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo
Barcelona defender, Ronald Araujo has travelled to Israel to seek spiritual fortification following harsh criticisms from fans after his poor performance in the Champions League.
Barcelona lost 3-0 against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the Champions League.
Hansi Flick’s side went down to 10 men in the first half after Araujo was dismissed for two bookings.
This triggered massive backlash among the fanbase, who criticized the player for repeatedly committing unnecessary fouls and making costly mistakes in big games.
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Since that match, Araujo has not trained with the Barcelona squad, with reports suggesting he has been affected by the public backlash.
Upon discussions with the club, Araujo was granted permission by Barcelona’s management to visit Israel in a bid to seek solace and mental clarity.
The defender intends to capitalise on the opportunity not for leisure but as a vital component of his rehabilitation, resetting his spiritual well-being by disconnecting from the toxic noise and focusing on his faith, according to Spanish outlet Sport.
Former Barcelona defender Gerard Piqué condemned the behaviour of the fans and urged players to take their mental health seriously and act accordingly when needed.
“Mental health must be taken care of. It is evident, not only in the world of football or sport. In this case, Ronald has raised his hand and said ‘enough,’ and I think the club does very well to listen to him, give him the necessary time, and I think that all football fans in Spain should reflect a little,” he told Sport.
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