FC Barcelona and its former captain Sergi Roberto have officially announced the signing of the midfielder. … (+)
FC Barcelona and its former captain Sergi Roberto have officially announced the midfielder’s departure from the club via social media and, in the case of Barca, via the official website.
“Sergi Roberto has officially left the club where he spent practically his entire career, FC Barcelona.
“The first-team captain’s contract ended at the end of last season and he made his departure from the club public in an emotional video on his social networks,” the Catalans said, before confirming reports of a farewell ceremony to be held on Tuesday at the Camp Nou’s Auditori 1899.
Barca told the story of how Roberto joined the La Masia academy at the age of 14 “after making a name for himself in the youth teams of his local club Nastic de Tarragona”.
“The midfielder progressed through the youth teams into the Barça Atletic squad and subsequently made his first-team debut in a Copa del Rey match against Ceuta in November 2010.
“After appearing for the first team in the following two seasons, Roberto became an official member of the first team for the 2013/14 season,” the club continued.
“After more than 10 years in the first team, the Reus-born midfielder has made 373 appearances for the first team. During that time, his versatility has been key, especially as a right-back, where he played the majority of his games for FC Barcelona. During his time as a Blaugrana, Sergi Roberto scored 19 goals for the first team, the most famous of which was the decisive strike in Paris Saint-Germain’s 6-1 comeback in the Champions League.”
Finally, Barca listed Roberto’s impressive 21 trophies in their colours and stressed that his many appearances put him in 23rd place on the all-time list, “ahead of legends such as Luis Suarez, Jose Mari Bakero, Luis Enrique and Ladislau Kubala”.
As mentioned above, Roberto initially announced his retirement by posting an emotional clip on social media sites X (formerly known as Twitter) and Instagram.
“Culers, it’s time to thank you for the whole journey we’ve made together. Long live Barca,” the 32-year-old wrote in his caption.
“I am proud to have given everything in these 18 years and to have been the captain of the club of my life,” he said in the video, receiving supportive comments on Instagram from the likes of his former teammate and manager Xavi Hernandez.
“A role model in everything,” wrote Xavi in Catalan. “Legend,” commented Ferran Torres, while Frenkie de Jong left blue and red hearts.
Roberto’s next steps are unknown, but World Sports announced that he has five offers from other clubs and that a possible move to the Premier League is his top priority.
