Barcelona have finalised their captaincy construction for the 2026/27 season, with Lamine Yamal making a significant step into the membership’s management group regardless of being simply 19 years outdated.
In line with stories reaching Softfootball, head coach Hansi Flick performed a decisive function in establishing Barcelona’s new hierarchy following the departures of Marc-André ter Stegen and Ronald Araújo, which compelled the Catalan giants to reshuffle their management group.
Liverpool had reached an settlement with Barcelona to signal Araújo on mortgage earlier in August 2026, with a verbal club-to-club settlement reached and accepted by Barcelona sporting director Deco.
Liverpool additionally accomplished the required documentation with Barcelona for the Uruguay worldwide’s momentary transfer to Anfield, additional contributing to the modifications inside Flick’s squad.
Earlier than the squad’s inner voting course of was accomplished, Flick initially chosen Raphinha, Pedri and Eric Garcia as his provisional captains.
Raphinha and Pedri have now been confirmed as Barcelona’s first and second captains respectively, whereas the remaining three positions had been determined by means of a vote among the many gamers.
Eric Garcia, Frenkie de Jong and Yamal emerged as the opposite three members of the management group.
How Barcelona’s captaincy was determined
Flick had already indicated his most popular management construction earlier than the Joan Gamper Trophy, naming Raphinha, Pedri and Garcia because the provisional captains whereas Barcelona’s squad was nonetheless being finalised.
The membership later confirmed by means of its official channels that the everlasting captaincy construction can be decided as soon as the squad was full and the gamers had a chance to vote.
Flick in the end retained Raphinha and Pedri as the primary two captains, whereas the gamers chosen Garcia, De Jong and Yamal to finish the five-man group.
Garcia’s choice comes as little shock given the respect he has earned throughout the dressing room. The defender has constructed a repute for professionalism, self-discipline and dedication, whereas his significance has grown underneath Flick because of the supervisor’s continued belief in him.
De Jong’s inclusion is equally logical. The Netherlands worldwide was already a part of Barcelona’s earlier management group and, following Ter Stegen’s departure, is now the squad’s most senior participant by way of age and expertise.
Lamine Yamal turns into Barcelona’s new younger chief
Yamal’s choice is probably essentially the most vital improvement.
The Barcelona No.10 has quickly developed into one of many defining gamers in Flick’s group, along with his affect extending far past his age.
At simply 19, Yamal is already one of the crucial essential figures on the membership and his authority on the pitch has grow to be more and more apparent.
His inclusion suggests Barcelona’s management construction is being formed not solely by age and expertise but additionally by sporting significance and affect throughout the group.
Making Yamal a captain at 19 represents a daring determination, however it isn’t essentially untimely.
Barcelona look like recognising the affect the winger already possesses reasonably than ready for his age to meet up with his standing throughout the squad.
The choice additionally displays the extraordinary trajectory of Yamal’s profession. Having emerged as one of many membership’s most influential gamers at such a younger age, he’s now being entrusted with better accountability contained in the dressing room.
With Raphinha and Pedri occupying the primary two positions and Garcia, De Jong and Yamal finishing the management group, Flick now has a brand new captaincy construction as Barcelona start one other season with vital expectations.
For Yamal particularly, the appointment represents one other main milestone in what has already been a rare rise at Camp Nou.
