Barcelona star’s ‘mental block’ revealed after social media harassment from fans

Barcelona vice-captain Ronald Araujo has been described as suffering from a 'mental block' after harsh criticism from the club's supporters in the wake of their Champions League elimination at the hands of Inter.

A thrilling semi-final tie between the two European heavyweights went to extra-time on Tuesday, but only after Francesco Acerbi nipped in front of Araujo to draw Inter level with seconds of the match remaining.

Davide Frattesi's well-taken winner allowed Inter to emerge 7-6 victors on aggregate, dumping out a Barcelona side that many considered to be the favourites to win the Champions League after Real Madrid's quarter-final demise against Arsenal.

But for Araujo, Wednesday's exit was disappointing on a personal level as well as from a team perspective. The Uruguayan, who signed a new six-year contract earlier in the year to end speculation of a move away, was criticised not only for his role in Acerbi's equaliser but also for Frattesi's winner, where he allowed Marcus Thuram to get to the byline before he cut the ball back to the waiting Mehdi Taremi, who in turn laid it off for Frattesi's strike.

The Athletic report, citing sources close to Barcelona's dressing room, that Araujo is suffering from a 'mental block' in what's been a challenging year for him, while he's been scapegoated by a number of supporters on social media who blame him for Barca's European exit.

Araujo hasn't shied away from his critics. He fronted up to the cameras post-match, spikily responding to questions put to him by journalists from Spanish radio station Cadena SER, and wrote a statement online after being insulted by a number of users.

"I accept and acknowledge it. I've never been one to hide, and I never will," Araujo said on Instagram.

"It hurts to be left out, but this isn't the end. We worked, fought, and gave it our all in a tough series. It wasn't enough, and that hurts. But I'm also proud. Pride in this team, in my teammates, in the crest we represent, and in every cule who was with us every step of the way.

"The Clasico is coming and we're going to leave it all. We are Barca, we'll come back stronger."

Araujo eventually turned off the comments to his post after receiving a wave of negative responses, and the situation is understood to have affected his family.

As a result, manager Hansi Flick may take Araujo out of the firing line for Real Madrid's visit, where victory would put Barcelona on the cusp of regaining La Liga from their arch rivals.

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