Sergi Roberto: I also had other offers but I decided to fight
Roberto offered some advice to anyone thinking of leaving Barça
The midfielder-cum-right-back has signed a new deal at Camp Nou
Sergi Roberto has not changed. Not even now that he's a first team regular at Barcelona. The academy product is still the same, humble person he's always been, aware of what it's taken to reach this point.
He recognised as much on Thursday as he signed his new contract. Before finding his place at the club, he had to be patient, deal with moments out of the team and wait for his chance. He also ignored offers from other clubs which could have changed his career.
"To the youngsters at the club I would say don't stop fighting, that it's not an easy path, that they focus on what they're doing here and don't look at offers. I would tell them to have patience, that their chance will arrive," Roberto said.
Advice which Roberto himself followed, following Sergio Busquets and Pedro into the first team with his only aim being to make it at Camp Nou.
President Josep Maria Bartomeu knows how hard it's been: "Sergi's an example for many players. We are grateful for his patience, his perseverance. He's had and will have a lot of offers, but we're thankful that he's decided to stay here."
Roberto's been at the club for 12 years, but everyone remembers that goal against PSG. A goal which sealed one of the most incredible comebacks. That happened last season, the year of his explosion, and as a right-back. An initiative of Luis Enrique's.
"The most difficult moments were when I was’t playing, when I was on then bench or watching from home,” he added. "But I have always said that I want to be on the pitch. It's true that I played a lot of games in midfield, but now I have played a lot at right-back.
“Adapting to another position has allowed me to play more minutes. I have played a lot of gamesthere now. What I want is to help the team and to feel important and I’m grateful to Luis Enrique for giving me that opportunity.”
Before that there was Pep Guardiola, who gave him his debut: "He bet on me. I am grateful to Pep for giving me my debut at Camp Nou and showing confidence in me."
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