Sergi Roberto shares his positive outlook
on life as a family man and professional
footballer just reaching the age of 30.
Be your best self.
Be respectful, friendly,
and open to change.
Taking care of yourself makes
you feel confident.
2/7/2022 Come Out
Men’s Grooming
Sergi discovered a little care
goes a long way toward looking
your best — especially as you get
older.
Fatherhood
transforms you.
“I try to adapt and to give the best of myself in all ways, whether it's football or, now, as a father, when I got married, to be the best husband… I always try to adapt to all situations, give the best of myself and adapt to each new situation... I think the way I look at things has totally changed. I think the best thing that can ever happen to you is to become a father. My daughter will be two years old soon, and the truth is that we’re very happy at home and you appreciate other things that, perhaps, when you aren’t a father, you’re more focused on your profession, on football, only thinking about that and, when you have a child, your priorities are more focused on your children.”
Set a good example.
"I’m really enjoying this period of being a father. I really wanted children, but now I’ve had a child for two years, the truth is that I’m very happy, and I’m trying to be the best father that I can… I've always tried to give the best of myself, to teach my daughter the values in which I believe and which I trust… Being a good person is what's most important, being respectful, being humble… I believe that these values are very important and that's what I try to transmit and teach my little girl, who's still very young, but I think it's very important to teach these values from now on, so that she grows up being that way, the way I am and also her mother… Apart from that, I have a second one on the way, so I’m very happy about that."
Values matter.
“I think that they're the cornerstones of football and also of life. I think that, when it comes to playing, you have to be… humble, you have to respect your opponents… These are the values that I learned when I came to La Masia. That aside, I was lucky enough that my parents, since I was a small child, also taught me these values and that they're a very major part of my personality. I also think that I try to transmit this to my family, particularly to my little girl, when she's older, she still very young. But always showing the good side: being a good person, particularly, being respectful, friendly… I think that's essential in football and also in life, in our everyday lives.”
Chase your dreams.
“Playing at Barça was already a dream come true for me, and with over years I became one of the most veteran members of the team. I've been one of the four team captains for some years and it’s an honor for me, it’s a pleasure too following the footsteps of my idols like… Pujol, Xavi, Andrés, Leo… and to be a captain alongside Geri, Sergio, Jordi, it’s a real honor. And I always try to represent this club and the position of captain as best I can.”
Look your best.
“I think that players are increasingly concerned with their appearance. Every day we get exposure on television, and social networks… Everyone also has their own brand, Instagram, social networks… That's why I think that we try to take the best possible care of ourselves, for other people to always have a good image of us, and I think footballers are increasingly interested in looking after themselves. The truth is that I didn't bother at all a few years ago, I didn't use creams or anything like that and, well, as you get older and you get more exposure on social networks and television, you become more concerned with your image.”
Encourage others.
“We all have to help each other, but even more so as one of the captains. Above all when things are rough, you have to be there, encouraging the team and supporting. Then you also have to address the referees, and as captain, it’s also important to do this properly. Also when you lose, you have to lose with dignity and give the example that you can’t always win, and when you lose you still have to be there, you have to learn from defeat, from your mistakes, and move on. And that's what I try to transmit to the team... You have to stand up and be counted when necessary, when our strength is waning, try to bring the strength out, to encourage the team at the toughest times and also to have fun, of course, when the time is right, and I always try to do my best along with the other captains.”
Treasure friendship.
“I was 14 when Barça called me. It was amazing, like a childhood dream. And well, the first two years I travelled from Reus to Barcelona. They were two years when I trained four days a week and travelled a lot, but well, when I turned 16 I started living at La Masia. It’s one of the nicest times I remember in all of the time I’ve been with Futbol Club Barcelona. I met up with a group of friends, almost like brothers, because we lived together and well, I remember… we had a great time, we went to university together, school, then training… We spent practically the whole day together and it was a lovely period in my life... Players like Xavi, Leo, Andrés, Puyi, who were the captains at that time, helped me a lot from the beginning, and I try to do the same as they did with me, to do it with the young players, the new signings, and I think I'm doing that.”
Adapt to change.
“You don’t only train in tactics, technique, but also the physical part. In the end you play every three days, then the physical part is very important, because you have to recover properly after the matches, because after two to three days you have another, and in the end you have to adapt to our schedule… I think that now football's a bit more tactical. Now you come up against teams who are better prepared tactically, and also more physical, I think there are more and more players who are more powerful, more physical, stronger and… I think it's going that way. But I also had to play during the time of Xavi, Andrés, etc., which was all touch, touch, touch and the truth is it was spectacular and now football, as I say, is a little more tactical and physical, but well, I enjoy it.”
See the bright side.
“Injuries are the most difficult part of football for me… because it stops you doing what you like the most, which is playing with your team mates… Recovering is also quite hard and you have to train more than ever. But you have to [change] your mindset. I always do. When you get injured, well... You're one day closer to being back, to coming back stronger and better than ever. I think that's the way to deal with it. Then, also, you surround yourself with your colleagues, with your family, because they're the ones who support you at times like this which, as I said, I think are the hardest and most difficult for a player. But I'm lucky enough to have a family that helps me with everything and teammates who help each other. When any of my teammates are injured, we're always closer to them because we know they're going through difficult times.”