Barcelona veteran Sergi Roberto shares heartwarming Instagram post as he confirms exit
Barcelona midfielder Sergi Roberto has confirmed his departure from the club. The 32-year-old came up through the ranks to make his first-team debut in the 2010-11 season.
In 373 games across competitions, he contributed 19 goals and 43 assists. That includes three goals and as many assists in 24 outings across competitions under Xavi last season, which turned out to be his final one at the club, starting 15 times.
Despite reports of the midfielder potentially staying on at the Camp Nou beyond this summer, Roberto has brought the curtains down on his stint at the club. In an Instagram post, he said (as translated from Catalan):
"Culers , the time has come to thank you for all this trip we have done together. Long live Barcelona, forever!"
In the video message, he reminisced his journey at the club, which began at the age of 14 (as per Barca Blaugranes):
“Culers, the time has come to thank you for all this journey we’ve made together.
"My history with Barca began when I was 14. From Reus to Barcelona, fulfilling my dream of wearing the Blaugrana jersey, passing through La Masia where I spent my best years as a teenager and where I learnt all the values of this club. Growing as a player, above all as a person and making friendships that will last a lifetime.
The La Masia graduate expressed gratitude for the beautiful memories and experiences he garnered in 11 years with the first team:
“In the first team it has been 11 years full of unique moments and experiences. From the debut to being the captain and winning all the possible titles. I have shared the dressing room with my idols and with the best players and coaches in the world. A true privilege.
Roberto concluded:
“I leave being very proud. Proud to have given everything for 18 years. To have always put the interests of the team and the club above my own. And proud to be the captain of the club of my life.
“Thank you very much to the club, to all the staff, and to the fans, for making these 18 years the best possible journey. And to conclude thanks to my family for always being by my side because without you none of this would have been possible. Visca el Barca. Forever.”
Sergi Roberto leaves the club with 22 titles, including seven in La Liga and two in the UEFA Champions League.
Sergi Roberto wasn't confident of staying on at Barcelona
As per Mundo Deportivo (via Barca Blaugranes) in June, Sergi Roberto wasn't confident of his chances to stay at Barcelona beyond the summer of 2024. That was because of the club's uncertainty over financial fair play.
The player was expected to extend his contract by a year, but that was delayed due to FPP concerns as Roberto became a free agent at the end of June. The La Liga giants need to register new deals for multiple players before the new season.
They were Gavi, Alejandro Balde, Pau Cubarsi, Hector Fort and Marc Casado. Inigo Martinez and Vitor Roque also needed to be registered, so extending Sergi Roberto wasn't the club's priority.