Barcelona to Leave Captaincy Vacant After Ter Stegen’s Departure – Report
FC Barcelona is preparing for a significant change in its leadership core following the departure of goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen. The 33-year-old player has joined Girona on loan for the remainder of the season. This move is aimed at securing him more playing time as he prepares for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Captaincy Vacated at Barcelona
With Ter Stegen’s exit, the club has an open captaincy position. At the season’s start, Barcelona had designated five captains, including Ter Stegen. However, reports indicate that the club will not hold a new vote to fill the vacancy left by one of the leading figures.
Remaining Captains
Barcelona’s leadership will continue to rely on four remaining captains:
- Ronald Araujo
- Frenkie de Jong
- Raphinha
- Pedri
These players were elected alongside Ter Stegen at the beginning of last season. They will manage the responsibilities typically associated with the captaincy.
Responsibilities of the Remaining Leadership
The four captains will represent the team in various situations, including:
- Communicating with coaches and club officials
- Addressing dressing room issues
- Negotiating bonuses and rewards
Furthermore, if none of the four captains are available during a match, the captain’s armband will go to the player with the most seniority. Some players, such as Robert Lewandowski, Eric Garcia, and Ferran Torres, have also taken on captain duties throughout the season when the official captains were unavailable.
Barcelona will navigate this transitional period without electing a new first captain, maintaining its existing leadership structure until the season’s end.
