During his introductory press conference on Thursday, Bolavip asked the versatile Spanish veteran whether he approached his former Barca teammates before making this career decision.

“Yes, I spoke with Luis (Suárez), Jordi (Alba) and Busi (Sergio Busquets),” Roberto responded to Bolavip. “They were all very happy.

“Especially with Busi, we spoke in Barcelona at the Ciudad Deportiva (Barcelona’s training ground), with him already working as an assistant with Barça B. He had a very good experience in MLS, and he and his family were very happy in the United States. He told me that I would enjoy it immensely and that I would surely be very well, very happy.”

Barcelona’s footprint in MLS

The wave of Barcelona stars joining MLS started in the summer of 2023, when Inter Miami announced Sergio Busquets just weeks before confirming the high-profile acquisition of Argentine superstar Lionel Messi.

Jordi Alba joined Busquets and Messi shortly after, and in the following transfer window, the group reunited with Luis Suarez. All of them went on to enjoy a fruitful reunion in South Florida, winning the 2025 MLS Cup after enjoying a nice run at that year’s FIFA Club World Cup played on US soil. Busquets and Alba retired after the 2025 season, while Messi and Suarez remain in Miami.

The Galaxy also landed Barcelona academy graduate Riqui Puig in 2022, though injuries have stood on his way recently. Roberto will see more familiar faces around the league, with Robert Lewandowski playing for the Chicago Fire and Antoine Griezmann shining for Orlando City.

Roberto’s experience before MLS move

Roberto, who recorded 19 goals and 43 assists in 373 appearances for Barcelona, joined the Galaxy as a free agent after spending the last two seasons at Italian side Como, where he was coached by former Barcelona teammate Cesc Fabregas.

Roberto arrives in MLS with an impressive résumé from his time in Spain, having won seven LaLiga championships, two UEFA Champions League trophies, and six Copa del Rey titles, among other team honors.

The Galaxy make another high-profile signing

This is also the latest stellar signing for the Galaxy, who had previously landed Mexican winger Hirving ‘Chucky’ Lozano—who praised Messi in his first press conference.

These moves help the organization improve the supporting cast around German star Marco Reus, who already celebrated MLS Cup glory with the Galaxy in 2024. Roberto is joining a team that needs to get results fast, as Greg Vanney’s men sit 12th in the Western Conference standings with 26 points in 22 games.

The decision took everyone by surprise, and it immediately changed everything both for the league and the South Florida team. Shortly after Messi announced his next team, the Herons managed to pull off other stellar signings by bringing in Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba.

Of course, many other players have been linked with David Beckham’s team from the moment Messi set foot in the United States. The latest reports suggest another Barcelona player could leave Spain for Major League Soccer, so Miami may have a chance to add another big name to its squad.

Report: Sergi Roberto considering leaving Barca for MLS in 2024

According to Mundo Deportivo, Sergi Roberto is considering a move to the United States next year. The Spaniard’s deal with Barcelona runs out in June 2024, and it could be the right moment to say goodbye.

The report claims Sergi Roberto knows he’s not getting any younger – he turns 32 in February – which is why he could leave the Catalan side after 14 seasons. Besides, the aforementioned outlet understands the full-back sees a lot of growth in MLS ahead of the 2024 Copa America and 2026 World Cup.

But there are other crucial factors that would make him consider this idea. While his playing time at Barcelona has been limited this term, Sergi Roberto has already expressed his fascination with the US, especially with New York, and he also speaks English. Besides, he reportedly had great references from other players.

Sergi Roberto with little playing time at Barca

Even though he’s been chosen as first captain following the departures of Busquets and Alba, Sergi Roberto has barely seen the field this season. With only two starts in 11 games, he’s the 16th player with most minutes on the team.

Joao Cancelo’s presence gives little room for the veteran full-back, who can also operate as a midfielder. Even so, Sergi Roberto has never complained or shown signs of frustration with his role.

But he reportedly started to realize this is the beginning of the end to his wonderful time at Barcelona. The idea of playing in the US was already on his mind, and other players seem to encourage it.

Apart from the Inter Miami stars and Riqui Puig, who is playing for the LA Galaxy, Sergi Roberto also received great comments about the league from former Barca players Oriol Rosell, Ilie Sanchez, Andreu Fontas and Jonathan dos Santos. He doesn’t have to make any decision soon, so we’ll have to wait and see what’s next for the Barca icon.

Messi has had plenty of defenders, Argentina teammate Cuti Romero retweeted a harsh tweet about how the French are better at making perfume than knowing about soccer, and now a former Barcelona teammate is also coming out to defend Messi.

Sergi Roberto, who has been at Barcelona since 2010, was very clear about the feelings of Messi’s former club towards the Argentine.

Sergi Roberto on Lionel Messi booed

“Messi is having a good season and now (PSG fans) blame him for being eliminated from the UCL, I do not understand why. He doesn’t deserve that treatment. Here we are already waiting for him, and we will treat him in the correct way”.

Messi is in the middle of contract talks with PSG and as well as talking with Inter Miami of Major League Soccer. All signs point that Messi will indeed choose to go to the United States, although PSG does have first crack at a contract extension.