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Barcelona icon Sergi Roberto harbors ambitious MLS title aspirations, though restoring the No. 12-ranked L.A. Galaxy to championship contention will be no easy task following more than eighteen months of disappointing performances.
Although the six-time MLS Cup winners endured a trophy drought spanning a decade before claiming the Cup in 2024, the club is eager to avoid repeating such a prolonged title absence. The Galaxy have found the going tough this season, struggling notably without key midfielder Riqui Puig—Roberto's former Barcelona colleague, who is ruled out through injury for the entirety of the 2026 campaign. The Galaxy have secured just six victories this season, with only one coming since the resumption of play following the World Cup international break. Meanwhile, competition across the league continues to intensify, with multiple clubs investing heavily in overseas talent this summer in pursuit of glory.
Roberto penned a deal with the Galaxy through 2028 earlier this month and will look to draw on his experience of collecting 25 trophies over fourteen years with the La Liga giants (2010–2024) to guide the team to silverware this winter. The Spaniard touched down in Los Angeles this week, and after spending a few days familiarizing himself with his new squad, he could make his debut against in-state rivals San Diego FC on Saturday.
"We're at a critical juncture where securing a playoff spot is essential," Roberto stated at his introductory press conference. "I believe if we manage that, we can challenge for everything, because from what I've witnessed in training, there's more than enough quality to win the league—and that's precisely why I'm here."
.@SergiRoberto10 media day BTS 🤳 pic.twitter.com/Doz2Ewtfqp
Despite entering the latter stages of his playing days, the 34-year-old is expected to be the centerpiece of the Galaxy's summer overhaul, which also included the acquisition of Mexican international Hirving "Chucky" Lozano on loan following his acrimonious departure from San Diego FC.
"I think I can contribute a great deal of experience," Roberto added, having recently departed Serie A side Como, where he netted once in 37 outings across two seasons following his storied time in Catalonia. "I've spent my entire career playing in Europe at Barça. So yes, a wealth of experience, hard work, and staying grounded.
"I want to help the club improve, reach the playoffs, and from there, why not go all the way and win MLS—just helping the team and also supporting the younger players in their development."
Sergi Roberto Embracing American Culture
Ahead of his debut against San Diego, which could mark his first competitive action since May 7, Roberto is enthusiastic about immersing himself in American sports culture, having long been a devoted NBA follower.
"Ever since my time in Barcelona, one of my dreams was always to come here and play in MLS. I genuinely love the way sports are experienced here in America," he told the media. "I've been following the NBA for a very long time. I always said that one day I'd love to come and play here in MLS."
While Roberto weighed other possibilities for the final chapter of his career, the Galaxy put forward the most compelling proposition, bolstered by glowing endorsements of MLS from fellow Barcelona legends.
"I spoke with Luis [Suárez], Jordi [Alba] and Busi [Sergio Busquets]," Roberto said of his former teammates, all of whom lifted the 2025 MLS Cup with Inter Miami. "They were all very happy ... [Busquets] had a wonderful experience in MLS, and he and his family were extremely content in the United States. He told me I would love it and that I would undoubtedly be very well and very happy."
The Galaxy could climb as high as seventh in the Western Conference table with a victory over San Diego on Saturday, aided by favorable results elsewhere this weekend, keeping their late-season push for a postseason berth very much alive.