FC Barcelona sets a return date for Ronald Araujo following his recent period of absence for mental health reasons.
The Uruguay international stepped away from football for an indefinite period to focus on his mental health after receiving intense criticism for his performance against Chelsea, a decision that left Barça without one of its most influential leaders on and off the pitch.
In his time away, Hansi Flick has had to improvise, including turning to Gerard Martin at centre-back, all while operating with no clear certainty on when his captain would feel ready to return to action.
Now, the key update is in: Ronald Araujo has set January 3, 2026, as the target date to end his leave and make himself available for selection again, as reported by Marca.
The centre-back recently travelled to Israel, seeking peace and spiritual grounding in the holy land as a devout Christian, a trip that reportedly helped him significantly on both a mental and physical level.
He intends to be ready for the derby against Espanyol on that date, even if his starting place is not guaranteed, with the primary goal being to rejoin the group dynamic and competitive rhythm.
In the meantime, Ronald Araujo plans to spend Christmas in Uruguay before returning to Barcelona to resume training with his teammates on December 29, marking his first group session since the Chelsea debacle earlier in the season.
Inside the club, there is an understanding that his campaign has fallen below the expected level, but Flick continues to view him as a vital pillar for the team’s structure, both in terms of football and leadership.
As the second half of the season looms, his comeback is seen as a crucial emotional and sporting boost, offering Barcelona renewed stability at the back and giving Ronald Araujo the chance to rebuild confidence in a familiar environment.
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