This is how the ‘sacred cows’ contracts are

Sergio Busquets and Sergi Roberto’s contract ends at the end of this season, but they are the Barça captains who have had more prominence at the start of the season

Instead, the link between Piqué and Jordi Alba, who are not playing regularly, is extended until June 30, 2024

The four captains of FC Barcelona have been some of the proper names at the start of the season. And not precisely, except for Sergio Busquets, because of his prominence on the pitch. The ‘sacred cows’ are having little continuity due to the extraordinary performance of the youngest. Eric Garcia, Alejandro Balde and Ronald Araujo as wingers have relegated Gerard Piqué, Jordi Alba and Sergi Roberto, respectively, to the background.

The culé sports management, headed by Mateu Alemany and Jordi Cruyff, tried before the start of LaLiga to reach an agreement with Piqué and Busquets to lower or defer their salaries, but this route, as we reported this Monday in SPORT, has been ‘parked ‘. The lack of agreements and the new solutions appearing on the market –the possible sale of Aubameyang, for example– have allowed to reject this option. How, then, are the contracts of the four captains?Sergio Busquets: June 30, 2023. Everything seems to indicate that he faces his last season with the Barça shirt. He wants to play in the MLS and, at 34 years old, he could put an end to his successful stage at the Camp Nou when this campaign ends. There are still many months to go, however, and things can change radically. We will be pending the evolution of his situation.Gerard Hammered: June 30, 2024. His contract extension was one of the controversial renewals that Josep Maria Bartomeu carried out shortly before leaving the Barça presidency. At the moment, he has not moved from the bench in any official match. Three commitments, 0 minutes. In the summer he made it clear to Xavi that no matter what was signed, he would end up being the starter. We’ll see if he ends up making it.

Sergio Roberto: June 30, 2023. He renewed down to be able to continue in the club of his life. And, at the moment, he is having a secondary but important role. He has had minutes in all the games and, against Valladolid, he scored a goal. He completed a good performance against Manchester City, the friendly to raise funds in favor of the fight against ALS.

Jordi Alba: June 30, 2024. He was a starter against Rayo Vallecano, but Balde’s appearance deprived him of the starting role in the next two matches. Like Piqué, he will have to work very hard if he wants to win back his place.