10 dec 2025, 17:22
Last updated: Dec 10, 2025, 5:24 pm
René van der Gijp and Johan Derksen have been surprised by the recent developments surrounding Ronald Araújo. According to Spanish media, the FC Barcelona defender has traveled to Israel to work on his mental condition.
The news about Araújo came a few weeks after the Uruguayan played a negative role during his employer’s 3-0 defeat at Chelsea. The little putter picked up two yellow cards in that match and thus decimated Barça, which was already having unprecedented difficulty with the Londoners.
That red card earned Araújo a sea of criticism, from both the news and the Barcelona fans. In the three matches that followed the debacle against Chelsea, the defender was missing from the match selection.
That has everything to do with the ‘spiritual trip’ that Araújo has made since then. He traveled to Israel to ‘reconnect with himself’, he wrote Mark earlier.
“The defender not only wants to rest, but also find clarity, tranquility and emotional strength before returning to the pitch. His plan is to visit places of great spiritual and cultural significance in the country, looking for a place where he can process the moment he is living in.”
Van der Gijp observed it all with amazement. “He has had so much rubbish thrown at him on social media… He has completely collapsed.” The former right winger fears for Araújo’s career. “They almost assume that he will never play football again. That boy has been affected quite severely by it.”
Derksen’s reaction shows less sympathy for the Barça captain’s mental well-being. “Then you’re not suitable for this industry, are you? If you’re in this industry and you can’t sleep because of all the messages on social media, then you should quit. I’ve never had any guidance.”
