After Sergio Busquets left Barcelona at the conclusion of the previous campaign, Sergi Roberto, the team’s new longest-tenured player, assumed the leadership. The 31-year-old has been a member of the first team since 2010 and has been a club member since 2006.

Under head coach Xavi Hernandez, he is far down the pecking order despite serving as captain. At right-back, Joao Cancelo, Ronald Araujo, and Jules Kounde are ahead of him. He has also dropped down the pecking order in midfield, as Fermin Lopez has recently surpassed him.

According to Sport, Roberto’s function at Barcelona now resembles that of a testimonial, and it is appearing more and more likely that he will depart the team when his contract expires next summer.

Roberto reduced his compensation drastically as part of a one-year deal he signed last season to aid the team’s financial struggles. Barcelona, however, might opt to completely cut him off given his current position.

Roberto is a valuable teammate for Barcelona, so the coaching staff is unlikely to want him to leave. However, at the present, Roberto seems to be an afterthought, and that is unlikely to alter in the future.