Official: Sergi Roberto bids goodbye to Barcelona – all the details

It had been over a month since Sergi Roberto’s contract at FC Barcelona had expired. And finally, on Sunday night, the former club captain announced that he will not be continuing at the Catalan outfit with the Blaugrana also confirming his departure shortly after.

A renewal appeared to be on the cards for the ex-captain, especially when Xavi Hernandez was still in charge of the team.

However, the chances of a new deal took a major hit when Hansi Flick took over as manager while the club’s Financial Fair Play situation made it an extremely unlikely prospect.

As such, after 14 years since his first-team debut, the 32-year-old La Masia graduate has finally bid goodbye to the club of his heart.

Roberto says goodbye

“Culés, the time has come to thank you for all the journey we have made together. Visca Barça, forever and ever!”

It was with this message, along with a video looking back at his career at the club, that Roberto said goodbye to Barcelona through a social media post on Sunday evening.

“From my debut, to being captain and winning every possible title. I have shared the dressing room with my idols and with the best players and coaches in the world, a real privilege,” he added.

“I leave proud. Proud of having given everything for 18 years. Of always having put the interests of the team and the club before my own. And proud to be the captain of the club of my life.”

Concluding Roberto went on to thank the club, the staff, and the fans, as well as his family for being with him through the journey.

Barcelona respond

Soon after Roberto released his announcement, Barcelona posted a video on their socials paying tribute to one of the club’s most loyal servants, with the caption: “A Culer for life. Thank you, Sergi!”

Barcelona also confirmed that Roberto will get a chance to say goodbye to the club properly as there will be a farewell event held for the former captain.

The event will take place tomorrow, August 13 at 12 pm, in the Auditori 1899 at Camp Nou with club president Joan Laporta likely to be in attendance, along with some of his former teammates.

Roberto will depart Barcelona in a manner very similar to another former captain, Lionel Messi, as he too hung on to the hope of a possible renewal after his contract expired, only for it to never arrive.

Roberto is yet to make a decision on his next move, although there is no shortage of offers for the versatile midfielder.