Sergi Roberto talks Messi, getting whistled, injuries, and not being La Liga favourites

Sergi Roberto is set to stay at Barcelona, against all odds, and sat down for an interview with La Vanguardia to talk everything that has happened at Barcelona lately, and what the future holds for them.

On a change of role and injuries

When asked about where he sees himself this season (on the pitch), he talked about his role in pre-season, saying, “I ask myself the question every year (laughs) but this time as there are two right-backs and because of how the training sessions and the games are going, I see myself more in the midfield. I want to play there, but the coach decides, of course.”

“I am much better. I have worked very hard all summer to arrive wit the best possible fitness. Last year everything was going well until November, I was injured and on top of that I tested positive for COVID.”

“I will renew my contract with a reduction in salary.”

On Lionel Messi and Laporta

“Everything changes. You had the best in the world and all the attack went through him, he scored 40 goals. He was everywhere, he associated with me, he went to the middle, he connected with Jordi on the left. We are working without him and trying to learn other connections.”

“We have to be more united than ever, be a more compact team with the ball and without it, press up together. If we don’t manage to score Messi’s 40 goals, then let’s try to score 30 but concede 10 less. You have to balance. Take a step forward, starting with the captains, the signings later and the young people who come up, who will have to be helped. We have a very good squad. I review all the Primera and I am convinced that it is the best.”

“It is impossible not to see Paris Saint-Germain. They are everywhere.” 

“It makes me very strange, we have always seen him (Messi) as a child with Barça. We will miss him very much, we will never forget him. It will always be strange for us to see him with another shirt because to think of Leo is to think of Barça. We are missing the most important player in the history of the club, it will cost us a lot.”

On finding out about Messi’s departure: “He communicated it to us and he surprised us all. When we returned from Germany we took it for granted that he would come to train with us now. That’s how he and the club wanted it. But there was that problem that Leo and the president explained with La Liga. Even so, we were very surprised and I told him so. We told each other that we would miss each other so much. At the farewell we were all in shock, we still are.“

On the rumours that players are not accepting salary-cuts: “It is totally false. Last year we accepted the reduction of salaries and the entire squad from the first moment has been open to help the club, to collaborate so that it is financially stable.”

On getting whistled during the Joan Gamper

“Fans whistling at you is not pleasant, and even less that he does it based on information that is not true. The players were the ones who most wanted Leo to stay, we would have done our best, but the problem went beyond the players, it came from further back, either because of the pandemic or because of the management that has been done, which left the club in very bad numbers.” 

“Now it’s time to be united, we need the fans more than ever. We have been without them for over a year. It is about winning games and titles and we will be stronger with them.”

On La Liga, and having fans back

“Atletico Madrid are said to be the favourites this season. Do you agree?”

“Let it be, so you have more pressure. But I see the League very even. Hopefully we will take it.”

“Help us, encourage us, the situation is difficult for everyone. The best way to get this done is to be united. The League begins and you have to win on Sunday. If you give us your support we will try to return it with great success.”