At Barça, the next generation is already faced with reality. A new captain should be appointed to the Catalan club. Custom of the preseason, the locker room and the coach are led to renew the old body of leaders or to designate it again. Importantly, Marc-André Ter Stegen was injured for three months and in any case dismissed by management. Thus, a place is available in the hierarchy.
According to Mundo Deportivothe locker room would massively promote Raphinha as the next bearer of the armband. His determination, his leadership, his personality and his performances largely convince. He would thus ahead of Ronald Araujo and Frenkie de Jong, relegated to the role of vice-capital. The final decision should be made in the coming weeks.
Four other players were also considered to join the group of captains: Iñigo Martínez, Robert Lewandowski, Ferran Torres, and the young prodigy Lamine Yamal. The latter, at only 18, embodied the future of the club and enjoyed great respect on the field. However, his candidacy would have been dismissed.
Controversies that divide
This choice divides. If some supporters welcome Yamal's early maturity, others believe that it is premature to entrust him with such responsibility. In addition, recent extra-sport controversies surrounding the player would also have weighed in the balance. These elements would have helped to rule out Yamal from this key role, at least for the moment.
The withdrawal of Ter Stegen from the group of captains marks a turning point. After eleven years at the club and 422 games played, the German sees its influence decline. A way for management and Hansi Flick to send a strong message: the time is for change. Barça wants to start again on new bases, with a new leadership.
