This year is going to be a special one for Sergi Roberto at FC Barcelona. He has been selected as the captain of the squad, and this season could also well be his last one at Barcelona, which will cap his fourteen years at the club.
The player debuted in the FC Barcelona shirt in 2010, in a Copa del Rey match at Camp Nou. He has been a part of every Barcelona squad since then, despite his name not being the most flashy or conspicuous on the glamorous Barcelona team sheets.
Sergi Roberto rejected an offer from Saudi Arabia
There was a possibility that Roberto would not be playing for Barcelona this season, to begin with. According to SPORT, there was an Arabian club that tried to tempt Roberto into leaving FC Barcelona and playing the next season in the Middle East.
Barcelona gave the player full liberty to decide his future, but Roberto declined the move without even considering it properly.
The report further mentions that the Arabian club had contacted the player’s entourage directly, and was willing to pay up to €15 million for him. However, Roberto did not consider such a move because of sporting and personal reasons.
As already mentioned, this season could be his last at Barcelona, and Roberto wants to fulfill his contract with Barcelona before deciding about his future next year. Even if he ends up leaving the Catalan club next year, playing in Saudi Arabia is not a part of his plans, as he prefers to try out other leagues.
Xavi has confidence in Roberto
Sergi Roberto and Barcelona agreed to a one-year renewal of the player’s contract this year, as Xavi expressly wished for the player to stay. Roberto renewed his contract on very low wages, as he wants to stay at Barcelona and retire at his childhood club.
Xavi also considers him an integral part of the squad, both on and off the field, and especially values his versatility. The Barcelona head coach has used him both as a midfielder and as a right-back, and he fits as a key rotational player. His low salary also does not make him much of a burden on Barcelona’s finances, and the club is happy to have him in the squad.
