FC Barcelona: Raphinha promoted to captain

Raphinha is set to carve out an even bigger place in FC Barcelona’s history. According to reports from ESPN and Bruno Andrade, the Brazilian winger has been chosen internally as Barcelona’s main captain for the 2026-2027 season. The appointment should be made official soon, making him the first Brazilian to wear the main captain’s armband for the Catalan club. The 29-year-old already gave fans a taste of this new role by wearing the armband during the 5-2 win over Basel on August 16 in a pre-season friendly.

This promotion comes as no surprise, given Raphinha’s growing stature in the Barcelona dressing room. Arriving at Barça in the summer of 2022 from Leeds United, the Brazilian has steadily established himself as a key figure in the squad. Initially brought in for his attacking flair and ability to make a difference down the flank, he has gradually added a leadership dimension to his profile.

His commitment, relentless activity on the pitch and ability to defend Barça’s colors with intensity have only strengthened his influence among teammates. This recognition was evident even before his official appointment: according to reports, Hansi Flick organized a locker room consultation two years ago to see which players fit the captain’s profile. Raphinha was chosen by his fellow teammates back then.

He was already part of the captain’s group, but the pecking order has now shifted with Ronald Araújo’s loan move to Liverpool. Raphinha steps up to first in line, becoming the primary leader of the squad on the pitch.

Performances that changed his status

Raphinha now enjoys the trust of both his teammates and the coaching staff, thanks in large part to his on-field output, which has greatly bolstered his legitimacy. After two initial seasons marked by inconsistent performances, the Brazilian international took a major leap forward in the 2024-2025 season, emerging as one of Barça’s key attacking forces.

Under Hansi Flick, he finished the campaign with 34 goals and 25 assists in 56 matches across all competitions—a total of 59 direct contributions. In La Liga, he scored 18 goals and provided nine assists, while his Champions League campaign was particularly memorable, netting 13 goals and delivering nine assists.

This offensive output, combined with his collective commitment, has transformed his role at Barça. Raphinha is no longer just a winger tasked with creating chances—he has become one of the team’s go-to players in critical moments.

From Leeds to the Barça armband

Raphinha’s journey adds another layer of meaning to this appointment. Trained in Brazil, he first made a name for himself in Europe with Vitória Guimarães, before spells at Sporting CP and Stade Rennais. He joined Leeds United in 2020, quickly becoming one of the Premier League’s most exciting attacking talents.

His performances in England ultimately convinced Barcelona to sign him in the summer of 2022. Since then, he has gradually earned his place in the Catalan project and in the hearts of the fans.

Now, his challenge will be to shoulder even greater responsibility. As the first main Brazilian captain in Barça’s history, Raphinha will have to maintain his high level of performance while embodying the club’s values for his teammates. It’s a progression that rewards his output, his influence, and the special bond he has gradually built with the blaugrana shirt.

Nouya M'toama

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Versatile journalist specializing in sports and political news, with extensive experience across radio, print and digital media platforms.

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