Raphinha has shared his desire of becoming one of the Barcelona captain and opined on whether Marc-Andre ter Stegen should get to keep the armband.
Marc-Andre ter Stegen has been tipped to leave Barcelona this summer as he’s expected to become third choice when the 2025/26 season starts. Various reports have also claimed that the club has decided to strip Ter Stegen of the armband even if he stays.
Raphinha is one of the leading candidates to become one of the permanent captains of Barcelona. The Brazilian wore the armband for a number of games last season following Ter Stegen’s knee injury and while Ronald Araujo and Frenkie de Jong were also recovering from their respective injuries.
With Hansi Flick opting out from choosing the first-team captains for next season, the former Leeds man opened up on the situation.
Marc-Andre ter Stegen has been tipped to leave FC Barcelona this summer. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
Speaking in an interview with SPORT, Raphinha admitted that being Barca’s captain was not one of his dreams.
“Well, the truth is that, if I said it was a dream, I would be lying, because in the end I hadn’t dreamt of being captain,” he said. “It was something that happened, and to be able to see my teammates see me like that, as a captain in the dressing room, is very gratifying.”
Asked whether Ter Stegen should remain one of the captains next season, Raphinha explained: “Yes, in my opinion, but in the end it’s not something that depends on us. Since I arrived he has always helped me, and he was already the captain. In football, there are hierarchies, and we have to respect them. For me, even if he is not, he will still be a special person. Whether there are votes or not is a question for the coach or the president.”
Raphinha has grown to become an important player at Barcelona despite looking like he will be sold last summer. His impressive form has seen him ranked among the favourites to win the Ballon d’Or.
Flick entrusted him with the armband early on in the 2024-25 season, and the Brazilian repaid his manager’s faith with interest. All eyes will be on the Spanish giant leadership set up next season as Flick makes another bold decision.
