Barcelona’s Sergi Roberto: Real Madrid wanted to sign me

Barcelona utility player Sergi Roberto has revealed he was close to joining Real Madrid earlier in his career before switching to the Camp Nou.

Now 27, Roberto moved to Barca’s La Masia youth academy aged 14 having previous played at youth level for Gimnastic de Tarragona.

“I was playing in the youth team at Gimnastic de Tarragona when Real Madrid approached me,” Roberto told TV3, in quotes cited by Marca.

“It was at the same time that Barcelona then also made contact with the club and with my father, who back then was supporting Madrid.

“After discussions we decided that the Barca offer was the best, and now my dad is fully supportive of them too!

“Playing right-back? That was due to Luis Enrique, he helped me adapt to the position and it has afforded me a run in the team, for which I am grateful.

“The Champions League? We are in a strong position but we are against a strong opponent so we must finish the game off and continue our strong recent form.”

Tags Sergi Roberto
La Liga - Club News