Sergi Roberto

Sergi Roberto Carnicer, born on February 7, 1992, is a versatile Spanish professional footballer known for his contributions to La Liga club Barcelona, where he currently serves as the team's captain. While primarily deployed as a central midfielder, Roberto is adept at various positions including defensive midfielder, full-back, and winger.
Having debuted for Barcelona's first team at just 18 years old, Sergi Roberto has enjoyed a significant portion of his career with the Catalan giants. Throughout his tenure, he has amassed an impressive collection of honors, including seven La Liga championships and two UEFA Champions League titles.
In addition to his club success, Roberto earned his first full international cap for Spain in 2016, representing his country on the international stage.


Born in Reus, Tarragona, Catalonia, Sergi Roberto began honing his football skills at the age of 8 with local club UE Barri Santes Creus. Six years later, he joined Barcelona's esteemed youth academy, transitioning from Gimnàstic de Tarragona.
Roberto made his debut for Barcelona's reserve team during the 2009–10 season, playing a vital role as they earned promotion to the Segunda División. His first appearance for the senior team came on November 10, 2010, in a Copa del Rey match against Ceuta. He also made his UEFA Champions League debut in April 2011, coming on as a substitute against Real Madrid.


Over the years, Roberto showcased his versatility, featuring in various positions for Barcelona. Despite initial doubts about his future at the club, he became a key player under manager Luis Enrique, particularly excelling as a right-back during the 2015–16 season. He continued to impress, contributing crucial assists and goals, including a memorable strike in Barcelona's historic comeback against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.
In February 2018, Roberto signed a contract extension with Barcelona, committing his future to the club until 2022. Despite facing disciplinary issues, such as a red card against Real Madrid in May 2018, he remained a valuable asset to the team, helping them secure the La Liga title.


Roberto suffered a quadriceps strain injury, requiring surgery in December. Despite his setbacks, he demonstrated resilience and commitment, agreeing to extend his contract with Barcelona until 2024. Despite his injury struggles, he managed to achieve a career-best tally of four goals during the season.Sergi Roberto's international journey began in October 2009 when he earned a call-up to the Spain under-17 team shortly after his Barcelona B debut. He showcased his talent on the global stage at the 2009 FIFA World Cup in Nigeria, where he made a significant impact. In a memorable match against Burkina Faso, Roberto scored a hat-trick before being substituted in the 88th minute. Spain finished third in the tournament, with Roberto contributing to their success alongside Borja Bastón.


Continuing his progression through the Spanish youth setup, Roberto made his under-21 debut on 5 September 2011. He played the final minutes of a 2–0 victory over Georgia in a UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifier.
After demonstrating his capabilities at the youth level, Roberto received his first call-up to the senior national team in March 2016. He was included in the squad for friendlies against Romania and Italy. Roberto made his senior debut for Spain on 27 March 2016, starting in a 0–0 draw against Romania in Cluj-Napoca. This marked the beginning of his journey representing his country at the highest level of international football.


Sergi Roberto is renowned for his versatility and adaptability on the field, making him a valuable asset for Barcelona. While he predominantly operates as a full-back, he has also showcased his skills in midfield. During the 2015–16 season under manager Luis Enrique, Roberto displayed remarkable flexibility by playing in seven different positions for Barcelona.
His ability to excel in various roles is attributed to his pace, strength, and rigorous work ethic. Additionally, Roberto's precise passing and tactical intelligence contribute to his effectiveness across the pitch. Luis Enrique himself praised Roberto's versatility, stating that he could play in any position except goalkeeper. He highlighted Roberto's consistency and quality performance regardless of his role on the field.
While he is capable of contributing defensively as a full-back, Roberto is also adept at making dynamic runs and supporting attacks, making him well-suited for a box-to-box role in midfield. His versatility and all-around skill set make him a valuable asset for both club and country.


Sergi Roberto began dating Israeli model Coral Simanovich in 2014. Simanovich, who is the step-daughter of Israeli singer and former politician Pnina Rosenblum, has been a prominent figure in the fashion industry.
After several years together, Roberto and Simanovich became engaged in early September 2017. Their engagement was followed by a wedding ceremony held in Tel Aviv on 30 May 2018, where they exchanged vows surrounded by family and friends.
The couple welcomed their first child, a daughter named Kaia, in 2019, marking another joyous milestone in their relationship. Their journey together continues to be filled with love, happiness, and cherished moments as they navigate both their personal and professional lives.

References

1.  "Acta del partido celebrado el 02 de enero de 2016, en Barcelona" [Minutes of the match held on 2 January 2016, in Barcelona] (in Spanish). Royal Spanish Football Federation. 2 January 2016. Archived from the original on 9 July 2022. Retrieved 13 June 2019.
2. a b c d e f g h "S. Roberto". FC Barcelona. Archived from the original on 6 November 2015. Retrieved 13 November 2015.
3. a b c "Sergi Roberto is 'Mr.Versatile'". FC Barcelona. 19 January 2016. Retrieved 21 January 2016.
4. ^ "Sergi Roberto". Who Scored. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
5. ^ Gil, Jordi (13 November 2015). "El fax que le cambió la vida a Sergi Roberto" [The fax that changed the life of Sergi Roberto]. Sport (in Spanish). Retrieved 13 November 2015.
6. ^ Domènech, Oriol (27 July 2012). "Reus, la cantera del Barça" [Reus, Barça's youth system]. Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). Retrieved 29 January 2016.
7. ^ "Youth: Sergi Roberto aims to make a future at Barça". Total Barça. 21 March 2010. Archived from the original on 24 April 2010. Retrieved 1 May 2010.
8. ^ "El filial del Barcelona vuelve a Segunda doce años después" [Barcelona reserves return to Segunda twelve years later]. Marca (in Spanish). 20 June 2010. Retrieved 4 October 2022.
9. ^ Aldunate, Ramiro (11 November 2010). "Hay Barça para rato" [We have Barça for a long time]. Marca (in Spanish). Retrieved 13 November 2015.
10. ^ "Ten-man Madrid undone by Messi magic". UEFA. 27 April 2011. Retrieved 27 April 2011.
11. ^ "Second XI ease to win". ESPN Soccernet. 21 May 2011. Archived from the original on 11 November 2012. Retrieved 21 May 2011.
12. ^ "Youthful Barcelona breeze past BATE". UEFA. 6 December 2011. Retrieved 7 December 2011.
13. ^ Aldunate, Ramiro (12 January 2012). "Messi enciende las antiniebla" [Messi turns fog lamps on]. Marca (in Spanish). Retrieved 13 January 2012.