Sergi Roberto has officially left Barcelona, although his next destination is unclear after he appeared to snub Inter Miami.
In June, Barcelona announced the departure of Marcos Alonso, whose contract expired on that day. However, the situation with another long-time player, Sergi Roberto, was more ambiguous.
Despite his contract also expiring on June 30th, the club did not officially confirm Roberto’s exit until much later. This delay added an element of uncertainty to the summer transfer window for the versatile midfielder; especially since he had been with Barcelona since joining their famed La Masia academy as a boy.
Sergi Roberto’s exit marks the end of an era at Barcelona. The 32-year-old, who had risen through the ranks to become club captain, had seen his role diminish in recent seasons.
Once a key figure in the squad, the defender found himself increasingly on the fringes; he was no longer a guaranteed starter under recent managers.
Despite this, his love for the club remained undiminished, and he had hoped to extend his stay at the Camp Nou.
Roberto had reportedly agreed to a new contract with Barcelona, but the appointment of new manager Hansi Flick changed everything.
Flick, looking to reshape the squad, decided that the veteran was surplus to requirements. As a result, Roberto was left in limbo, training at the club’s facilities but not officially part of the squad. It wasn’t until early August that Barcelona finally acknowledged his departure, bringing an emotional chapter to a close.
Emotional farewell after 18 years
This Tuesday, Sergi Roberto bid an emotional farewell to Barcelona in a ceremony attended by his family, a significant portion of the squad, and several iconic figures from the club’s recent history.
The event was a poignant reminder of Roberto’s long journey with Barcelona, from a promising youth player to a trusted veteran and leader.
As he left the club, the 32-year-old had…
Source link : https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/inter-miami-snubbed-as-sergi-roberto-moves-on-from-barcelona/
Author : Martina Alcheva
Publish date : 2024-08-17 12:40:58
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