A new first-team captain has reportedly been appointed at La Liga champions Barcelona this week. The Blaugrana star set to lead his teammates into the new season? Raphinha.
The subject of the captaincy situation has garnered widespread attention in Catalunya’s capital this summer. This comes after both Marc-André ter Stegen and Ronald Araújo were granted loan exits.
With Robert Lewandowski having also moved on, Hansi Flick’s squad, in turn, has seen an outflux of experience and leadership in the space of just a few months.
Safe to say, then, that the Blaugrana’s new captain will have plenty of responsibility on his shoulders this season…
And as alluded to above, on Monday, Hansi Flick and his staff are understood to have decided on the player set to be tasked with this role.
As per a report from Diario Sport, citing ESPN Brasil:
‘Raphinha will wear the captain’s armband for the Blaugrana team during the 2026/27 season , a choice that changes the scenario that had been drawn up in recent weeks and once again demonstrates the enormous influence the Brazilian has acquired within the dressing room.’
Frenkie de Jong had previously been tipped to take over the armband at the Camp Nou, but after being struck down by a fresh long-term injury setback, the Dutchman will seemingly be forced to make do with the role of vice-captain.
Conor Laird – GSFN