Why new Liverpool defender Ronald Araujo requested to miss one month of Barcelona’s 2025/26 season

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Liverpool surprised just about everyone by agreeing a season-long loan deal for Barcelona captain Ronald Araujo on Friday night.The Reds are badly in need of defensive cover, and the word is that although Araujo will arrive mainly as a centre-back, he can also fill in at right-back too.As a loan move, the transfer comes with much less risk to Liverpool, but that does not mean it has been met with universal delight from supporters. How do you feel about Liverpool signing Barcelona captain Ronald Araujo on loan?

Nobody saw this coming! 🫨 Photo Credit: Getty Images/Pedro Salado Araujo has had some complications over recent seasons, and even missed a whole month of football last December.Having requested a leave of absence after being sent off against Chelsea, the Uruguay international seemingly needed a break from criticism coming his way from Barcelona fans.Araujo needed a break from ‘heavy criticism’Though the true reason for Araujo’s wish to spend some time away from the Camp Nou was never fully revealed, comments from president Joan Laporta at the time strongly suggested that the 27-year-old needed some time away from the spotlight after being targeted for criticism.“He has been heavily criticised, and I don’t think that’s fair,” Laporta was quoted as saying by The Athletic.READ MORE: Ronald Araujo has already revealed his feelings about Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk“He gives his all on the pitch, he’s our captain, and now he needs to get through this difficult period because he’s a very emotional person with strong feelings.“He’s had a tough time, and I want to tell him that we’re behind him, that he needs to turn the page because here we all win and we all lose, and no one person is responsible for defeats or victories.”Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty ImagesCoach Hansi Flick was more reserved on the matter, urging the press to let it lie.“It is a private situation, I don’t want to say more,” Flick said. “And please, if you can respect it I’d appreciate it.”Araujo ultimately stayed away from the club for four weeks, returning just before the New Year.From there, he became more of a squad player for Flick, starting games here and there, but never fully nailing down his spot in the back four.11 starts in La Liga is not befitting of a player who wears the captain’s armband, and it is clear that there were issues behind the scenes for Araujo.

Hopefully he has fully cleared his head before arriving at Liverpool, because the spotlight will not be any less bright at Anfield.Join Our NewsletterReceive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox