Barcelona captain a ‘uniting force’ in dressing room amidst time of crisis – report

A lot has been said about Sergi Roberto in recent years. The Barcelona star has been criticised many a time for his position of captaincy despite not having a regular place in the team and has been made the scapegoat on numerous occasions.

Despite having the world against him, however, the La Masia star has battled on and managed the responsibility of captaincy with grace. SPORT‘s recent report elaborates on what makes Roberto such a good captain and his role in the team.

A uniting force

Roberto has been a uniting force in Barcelona’s dressing room during this time of crisis. The team may not be churning out results up to the mark, but the Spaniard ensures that no finger is pointed at any individual. Win as a team, lose as a team is his policy.

In fact, the report relays that the Spaniard was the one who urged the team to travel to Dallas for the friendly fixture recently, explaining the club’s precarious economic situation and the importance of the fixture.

The academy graduate also happens to be the one glue maintaining cohesion among the diverse players in the dressing room.

As a player from the youth system, he is well aware of the challenges faced by the young Spanish core and gives them valuable advice.

Concurrently, he maintains a cordial international core owing to his good command of English and helps them integrate better into the team.

Roberto has taken the best aspects of the various captains he has worked under across his career – Andres Iniesta, Xavi, Lionel Messi, and Carles Puyol – and utilises the same to lead the club of his dreams the best he can.

An example to admire

To be the captain of Barcelona and not have a regular starting role is definitely not easy on any player. Yet, Roberto has handled his situation with grace and continues to train with his 100% even when not given playing time.

He is thus an example the entire dressing room looks up to and learns from. After all, dealing with reduced playing time is a problem even the best of the best fail to handle.

Further, he is an example to his peers of how to place the team’s interest ahead of individual success. Roberto has been utilised all over the field in his long career so far, and his ability to play out of position on demand is a remarkable quality.