- Sergi Roberto left Barcelona this summer following the expiration of his contract
- The 32-year-old midfielder joined the club's youth ranks aged 14 back in 2006
- Barcelona staged a farewell event for Roberto near the Camp Nou on Tuesday
Sergi Roberto has said an emotional goodbye to Barcelona after almost two decades at the club.
The 32-year-old midfielder joined Barca's youth ranks aged 14 back in 2006 and played 373 first-team games for the Catalan giants.
But he left the club this summer following the expiration of his contract.
A farewell event for Roberto took place at Auditorium 1899, near to the Camp Nou, on Tuesday.
It was attended by the entire first-team squad, including summer signing Dani Olmo, who is still not yet officially registered as a Barca player.
Sergi Roberto pictured wiping away a tear during his Barcelona farewell event on Tuesday
Lamine Yamal (right) was in the crowd during Tuesday's event near the Camp Nou stadium
Club legends Carles Puyol, Gerard Pique and Xavi were also in attendance.
Roberto broke down in tears as he addressed the gathered crowd.
During Tuesday's event, a highlight reel of Roberto's Barca career was played on a big screen.
The video featured countless stars who had long left the club and Roberto reacted by turning to the crowd and saying: 'Now it is my turn [to leave].'
Roberto also said that he will be 'eternally grateful' to the club for allowing him to enjoy many 'unforgettable moments'.
Club president Joan Laporta said: 'Sergi Roberto has been an example.
'I can only say thank you for your commitment and your gratitude. Barca is, and always will be, your home.'
Former Barcelona superstars Gerard Pique (left) and Xavi (right) were also in attendance
Barca president Joan Laporta (left) gave Roberto a hug and thanked him for his commitment
Roberto (seventh from the right on the back row) posed for a group photo with the Barca squad
Barca's record goalscorer Lionel Messi was not at Tuesday's event but he had earlier sent Roberto a message via Instagram.
Messi wrote: 'All the luck in your new stage!! Wish you the best, Sergi Roberto!'
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It is not yet clear where that next stage will be. Roberto reportedly rejected a move to Saudi Arabia earlier this year.
The midfielder is understood to be more interested in a reunion with former Barca stars Messi, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets at Inter Miami.
Italian Serie A side Fiorentina and English Premier League outfit West Ham have also been linked with interest in Roberto.
Despite spending most of his career playing as a defensive midfielder or at right back, Roberto scored 19 goals for Barca.
His most memorable goal came against Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League in 2017 to seal a 6-5 aggregate victory after Barca had been 4-0 down.
Barca fans pictured using mobile phones to take photos through a barrier outside the event
Lionel Messi (right) and Roberto (left) pictured celebrating a goal against Celta Vigo in 2020
Roberto's most famous Barca goal came against PSG in the UEFA Champions League in 2017
Roberto won the Champions League twice with Barca - in 2011 and 2015.
He also helped Barca win La Liga seven times.
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