Vinicius Offers Direct Support to Barcelona's Araujo Amid Mental Health Struggles

11 February 2026at21:37

Reports indicate that Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior made a humanitarian gesture towards his rival, Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo, after Araujo decided to take a break from football due to his struggle with depression.

Spanish newspaper AS reported that Vinicius offered direct support to Araujo during a difficult period. Amidst the crisis affecting the defender, the Brazilian star proactively contacted the Barcelona player to check on his well-being and offer his full support.

This call came after the Uruguayan player decided to stop playing in late 2025, finding himself at the time overwhelmed by a torrent of criticism and attacks regarding his poor performance.

The source added that the call evolved into an embrace between the players, a gesture also mirrored by Real Madrid's Carvajal and Ceballos. Like Vinicius, these players, rivals to Araujo, demonstrated their ability to transcend footballing competition and prioritize human empathy, expressing their support for Ronald, a fellow professional enduring difficult circumstances.

Q&A

Why did Barcelona's Ronald Araujo take a break from football?

Ronald Araujo decided to step away from playing in late 2025 due to his struggle with depression, which was compounded by a torrent of criticism regarding his performance.

Which other Real Madrid players showed support for Ronald Araujo?

Beyond Vinicius Junior, Real Madrid's Dani Carvajal and Dani Ceballos also extended their support to Ronald Araujo, demonstrating empathy across club rivalries.