Sergi Roberto's departure this summer marks the end of an era at Barcelona. The 32-year-old defender is the last remaining player from the Pep Guardiola era. Marc-Andre ter Stegen is now the only member of the squad that won the Champions League in 2015 under Luis Enrique.
Roberto's departure also follows the departure of several influential players in the dressing room, including Lionel Messi, Gerard Pique, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba. These names have held leadership roles for more than 10 years. Now, they have passed the baton to the next generation.
Barcelona's new coaching staff was chosen by the players themselves. However, this season has brought a few surprises. Apart from Ter Stegen becoming the official captain, the focus has been on the vice-captains Frenkie de Jong, Ronald Araujo, Raphinha and Pedri.
This also marks the first time since the 2002-03 season that Barcelona have not had a captain from La Masia. More notably, the omission of Robert Lewandowski from the leadership group has surprised many fans, especially when compared to the presence of Raphinha – who sometimes cannot even hold a regular place in the squad.
Ter Stegen is the obvious choice to be captain. He is the longest-serving player in the current squad and wore the armband several times last season in Roberto's absence. The German's influence in the dressing room has been evident for the past few seasons. Ter Stegen is seen as a calm figure who has not been involved in off-field issues and has been supportive of the younger players during a turbulent time for Barca.
Next, Frenkie de Jong and Ronald Araujo are also familiar names in the staff. De Jong is highly regarded by his teammates not only for his talent but also for his good relationship with the members. Despite a turbulent summer in 2022 when Barca tried to sell him to Man United, the Dutch midfielder stayed and had an excellent season, asserting his leadership role in the squad.
Alongside De Jong, Araujo has also proven his commitment to the club, notably by opting to undergo surgery on a thigh injury in September 2022 to return to Barcelona early, despite the risk of missing the 2022 World Cup. The Uruguayan has also shown his loyalty to the Blaugrana, despite rumours that the club would be willing to sell him for a profit.
Pedri is the youngest member of the staff at just 21 years old. However, according to dressing room sources, Pedri's calm demeanor has made him a figure of influence for many of the younger players. Pedri's bond with the senior players is also strong, having previously built up good relationships with Messi and Busquets when he first joined the Camp Nou team.
Raphinha’s emergence on the staff has come as a surprise to many. Despite losing his starting spot to Lamine Yamal last season, Raphinha has worked hard and re-established himself as a versatile attacking player. The Brazilian has earned the respect of his teammates. His impressive performances, coupled with his professional attitude, have won him the love of his teammates and fans.
In contrast to Raphinha's rise, Lewandowski's absence from the leadership group has caused much speculation. Despite returning to good form under Hansi Flick, the Polish striker's relationship with the younger players in the squad remains troubled. Notable scandals such as publicly criticizing Ansu Fati and his cold treatment of Lamine Yamal in some matches have made Lewy not seen as a positive leader in the eyes of the younger players.
