Gündogan was frustrated with Araújo’s 29th minute red card in Barça’s 4-1 loss to PSG in Wednesday’s Champions League quarterfinal return leg, saying it led to his team’s demise.

The veteran midfielder said of Araújo’s last-man challenge on Bradley Barcola: “To get a red card, to go a player down so early, it just kills the game. We just gave it away in the most simple manner. Let the goalkeeper have a chance to save us or even concede a goal.”

Speaking at a charity event in Barcelona on Thursday, Araújo responded: “I prefer to keep to myself what I think about Gündogan’s comments. I have certain values and they have to be respected.”

Barcelona players Jules Koundé and Sergi Roberto showed solidarity with Araújo.

Ronaldo Araujo got dismissed from the game Photo Courtesy: Getty Images

“Now more united than ever, here we win and lose together!” Sergi Roberto wrote on Instagram, while Kounde said: “By the way, we win as a team and we also lose as a team.”

Ilkay Gundogan of FC Barcelona (Photo by Pedro Salado/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)

Gundongan’s wife, Sara Arfaoui, weighed in on her husband’s criticism of Araujo.

She posted a photograph of her husband lifting the Champions League with wrote in an Instagram post that was later deleted: “This man is a working hard man and his football opinions is about improving and he is giving everything to this team. His mentality is a treble mentality.”

Kylian Mbappe celebrate win over Barcelona Photo Courtesy: Yahoo Sports

PSG advanced 6-4 on aggregate to set up a semifinal against Borussia Dortmund.

Barça’s elimination from the Champions League is a double blow for the club, as they also missed out on a place at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.