Sergi Roberto says that “nobody knows what really happened” between Lionel Messi and Barcelona, despite the Argentine’s surprise exit in 2021.

When his contract expired, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner said an emotional farewell to Camp Nou. He left Barcelona as a free agent after the club was unable to agree on new terms. Sergi Roberto, a fellow La Masia school alumnus, was astonished to see the Argentine hero leave, with the all-time great set to retire as a one-club man.

“Leo Messi’s departure shocked me a lot,” Sergi Roberto said on the B3TTer podcast. Neither I nor my teammates had anticipated it. We expected him to renew his contract. It’s been a few years, but no one knows what truly happened back then. I assumed he’d spend his entire career here. Leo Messi is the greatest player in club history, and in football history… You expect to see him at training the next day, but he isn’t there. It’s as if the club was starting over. He was present for all of the club’s successful years. You never hear him brag about how great he is or how essential he is to others. He is always looking out for the best interests of the squad.”

Sergi Roberto has been linked to a reunion with Messi at MLS club Inter Miami as his contract at Barcelona expires. “With Xavi as the coach, I feel very comfortable,” the versatile 31-year-old said of potentially pursuing the American dream. I’ve earned his trust. If the club is happy with me at the end of the season, I will stay. I’m speaking with Barca. I’m not going to join another team right now. Everything you’ve heard about me heading to Miami or Palmeiras is a hoax. True, I would like to get MLS experience in the future, but the time has not yet come. Right now, I say I want to stay at Barca. Maybe in a year, I’ll tell you that I want to travel to Europe or the United States again, but that will be in the future. I don’t believe it will happen suddenly.”

Former Barcelona teammates Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba have already joined Messi in Florida. Luis Suarez is anticipated to be the next ex-Barcelona superstar to visit DRV PNK Stadium, with the Uruguayan striker hitting free agency after parting ways with Gremio.