Barça is preparing to make one of the symbolic decisions of every season: the selection of its captains. In the coming days, the blaugrana locker room will have to vote to designate the players who will wear the armband during the 2025-26 season. Until now, the four captains were Ter Stegen, Ronald Araujo, Frenkie de Jong, and Raphinha.
This selection has always reflected the internal balance of the locker room and the respect certain players inspire among their teammates. Over the years, Barça has had great leaders like Xavi, Iniesta, Puyol, or Messi wearing the armband. Although in this younger phase of the team, figures like Ter Stegen or De Jong were chosen, now everything points to a significant change in the group's hierarchy.
Ter Stegen out of the captains group
The main trigger for this reconfiguration has been Ter Stegen's situation. The German, who until last season was the first captain, has been left out of the club's plans after his refusal to cooperate in the process of registering new signings. His decision not to submit his medical report to facilitate the release of his salary has caused deep discontent among the board.
As a result, Ter Stegen has been removed from the team's dynamics and has officially been stripped of the captaincy. The club believes that his behavior has not lived up to what is expected from a Barça captain, and has decided to act accordingly. The loss of the armband is the clearest symbol that his cycle as the locker room leader has come to an end.
The locker room will choose the new first captain
With Ter Stegen's departure from the captains group, the locker room will have to choose not only a new fifth captain, but also the new team captain. It will be an internal vote, as tradition dictates at the club, in which the players will have a say in deciding who will be their representatives during the season. The selection will be key to strengthening the group's cohesion and defining the new line of leadership.
The main candidates include Ronald Araujo, who is the one the club has temporarily appointed, and Frenkie de Jong. Raphinha, the current captain, is also in the equation, and it is not ruled out that a figure like Gavi, despite his youth, could join the group due to his competitive character. Everything is open, and the locker room will soon decide who will wear the armband in a season that promises to be intense.