The Catalan had words of praise for Pep, Luis Enrique and Xavi, who reassured him a lot when he was injured
The man from Reus reviewed his professional career to the club media in the report ‘Sergi Roberto, a fidel path’
Sergi Roberto reviewed his professional career for the FC Barcelona media in the report ‘Sergi Roberto, un camí fidel’ (a faithful path). The man from Reus had words of praise for Luis Enrique, the coach who promoted him to Barça B and later, already in the first team, he thought of him as a winger, and he also praised Pep Guardiola, who made him play in the elite and for Xavi Hernández, who reassured him a lot when he was injured.
“Xavi was always important to me. He was my idol as a child, later a great friend and teammate, and what he says about me is a source of pride”, about his involvement. “Throughout my career I have always been a normal, hard-working boy and if he says that I am an example for the homegrown players, then much better. He always tries to be a good person,” he stressed.
He explained how Xavi patiently waited for him to recover when he was injured. “I was excited to have him as a coach and he told me: “Look, I have spoken with Ricard Pruna and the best thing is that you have surgery, forget about everything and when you recover, I’m waiting for you.” It gave me peace of mind and I faced the recovery in a different way”, related Sergi Roberto.
The step to the side
The man from Reus recalled how he went from the midfield to the winger, already in the first team, and with Luis Enrique at the controls. “At the beginning it was difficult to play, there were incredible footballers and Luis sometimes came to the Ciudad Deportiva gym to say hello. One day we had an informal conversation, he told me: “Look, I’ve been thinking (about playing on the wing), maybe we tried it and it went wrong, but I think that due to your conditions you can adapt well”and I replied that I was open” to this possibility.
“Versatility has given me many joys”
And it is that it goes with his character and way of understanding football and life. “It makes me happy to be on the pitch helping the team and above all helping the coach in what he thinks is the best for the team. It’s already a pride to be in an eleven and apart from being able to do it in different positions, which It’s a necessity for the team, it’s even more so. Versatility has given me a lot of joy”, Sergi Roberto stated.
Happiness after renewing
For all this, Sergi Roberto remarked that “both in football and outside, I have always tried to help my people and I am in the club of my life. I will always help in whatever is necessary”, he was convinced.
He admitted that “now the situation of the club is not the best in financial terms and it has not been difficult for me to help, it is true that they are very different conditions from before (those of his contract), but I am very happy, I am returning to enjoy on the pitch like I haven’t been able to in recent years and it couldn’t be better”, the Catalan concluded, satisfied.