Barcelona consider removing first team captain from his role even if he stays | OneFootball

Barcelona made a massive decision by signing Joan Garcia, as it sent a clear and strong message to the dressing room that no player is above the team.

After all, it was a decision that showed Marc-Andre ter Stegen that his time at the club may well be nearing an end.

Come next season, Garcia is said to be the top-placed player in the manager’s pecking order to start in goal, while Wojciech Szczesny is the first-placed backup choice. Ter Stegen, thus, is unlikely to see many minutes.

The captaincy question

It is not normal for the first captain of a team to be the third-choice player in his department, and Ter Stegen’s situation has rung bells over his status as the first-team captain.

As advanced by Mundo Deportivo, voices in the club think that leaving Ter Stegen as the captain if he decides to stay may not work out well, for the first captain is meant to form a strong connection between the coach and the squad and must be a regular player.

Marc-Andre ter Stegen could lose his captaincy. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

Hence, as per the outlet, there is a strong possibility that the German international will be stripped off of his role even if he decides to stay for the 2025/26 season.

Just as Pep Guardiola himself selected Manchester City’s captains this summer and destroyed the culture of the dressing room, electing their leaders, there is pressure on Flick to do the same and strip Ter Stegen of the captaincy.

Several key figures within the club see it to be best if the manager interferes and changes the hierarchy to instate a player who is key on the field and a great leader as the first captain.

Currently, Ter Stegen is the first captain and is followed by Ronald Araujo, Frenkie de Jong, Raphinha, and Pedri, in that order.

Inigo Martinez is a strong candidate to take over as the captain should there be a change, although there is obviously a strong case for the other existing captains to be promoted as well.