Barca's new captain? De Jong eyeing armband but Gavi making his case

 

Barcelona’s leadership structure may be on the verge of major change, with Frenkie de Jong emerging as the frontrunner to replace Marc-André ter Stegen as club captain. According to AS, players and staff favour De Jong, whose steady evolution from transfer-list to locker-room leader has earned widespread respect. The shift comes amid growing tensions between Ter Stegen and the club. The German goalkeeper reportedly refused to submit a critical medical report, jeopardizing squad registration processes and weakening his grip on the armband. Internal frustrations could lead to disciplinary action, opening the door for a leadership reshuffle.

Despite De Jong’s momentum, Gavi is pushing hard. The 20-year-old midfielder showed extra commitment by training on his scheduled rest day, alongside six other players, including Ferran Torres. That move has been seen as a clear signal of leadership ambition. Gavi also wore the captain's armband during Barcelona’s recent Asian tour, reflecting Hansi Flick’s trust in the young star. With Ronald Araujo and Raphinha expected to serve as vice-captains, the final leadership group could feature Pedri, Gavi, or even veteran Iñigo Martínez

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