FC Barcelona: Raphinha named first captain

Brazilian international forward Raphinha is taking on an even more pivotal role at FC Barcelona.

According to ESPN Brazil and SPORT, Raphinha has been selected as FC Barcelona’s first captain for this season. This decision comes following the loan departures of Ronald Araujo to Liverpool and Marc-André ter Stegen to Ajax.

The Brazilian international was preferred over Frenkie de Jong, who was third in the captaincy hierarchy last season. The Dutch midfielder now becomes the second captain, ahead of Pedri and Eric Garcia. Since arriving at Barça in 2022, Raphinha has been rewarded for his growing status and leadership within the Blaugrana dressing room.

Read also: FC Barcelona: when Lamine Yamal compared Gavi and Pedri to lollipops

To explain his decision, Hansi Flick said: “I decided that the captains would be chosen by a vote because the squad is not yet complete. Some players could still arrive and others could leave. The vote will take place once everything is finalized. Until then, Raphinha is captain, alongside Eric García and Pedri. I made this decision because Frenkie de Jong is injured.”

Joshua SOSSOU

Editorfr, en, ar

As a sports fan, and particularly a football fan, I've been putting my writing talent to good use for a number of years now to promote African talent and the continent's football in general. On Foot Africa, enjoy reading each of my lines.

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