While he was never a top star, Sergi Roberto has been a loyal and hard-working servant for FC Barcelona throughout his football career.
The last remnant of Pep Guardiola’s golden era in the current squad, the 31-year-old became the first captain of the team this season following the departures of Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba in the summer.
However, Roberto has not had many chances to lead the team onto the field as his role and prominence in the team have diminished greatly in the ongoing campaign.
Roberto’s last season at Barcelona?
Now, SPORT is reporting that this could very well be Sergi Roberto’s last season at Barcelona given his reduced importance and his contract situation.
The 31-year-old signed a new one-year contract renewal with the Blaugrana during the 2022/23 campaign, furthering his stay at the club until 2024.
Manager Xavi Hernandez was insistent on keeping hold of the Spaniard as part of the team and played a key role in the renewal.
The manager is understood to be very happy with how Roberto carries himself in the dressing room despite his reduced role.
But when it comes to minutes on the pitch, Roberto finds himself struggling to make any inroads.
Reduced role in team
Joao Cancelo has made the right-back position his own since arriving on deadline day, while it also appears that Ronald Araujo could be preferred over Roberto in the role if the Portuguese is given a breather.
The La Masia veteran can even play as a midfielder, but there is too much competition for places already, with even Fermin Lopez now ahead of him in the pecking order.
In fact, Roberto has played just 174 minutes across all competitions this season and has not even featured in Barça’s last four matches.
As such, all signs point towards this being Roberto’s last season at Barcelona, with his contract expiring on June 30, 2024.
If that is the case, the versatile star will want to bid goodbye after lifting a trophy or two with the club of his heart.
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