Raphinha wants the armband! Brazil star reveals captaincy 'dream' and gives verdict on whether Marc-Andre ter Stegen should keep the title

Raphinha is one of the leading candidates to become one of the permanent captains of Barcelona amid reports that the club has decided to strip Ter Stegen of the armband. The Brazilian wore the armband for a number of games last season following Ter Stegen's knee injury and while Ronald Araujo and Frenkie de Jong were also recovering from their respective injuries. With Hansi Flick opting out from choosing the first-team captains for next season, the former Leeds man opened up on the situation.

Raphinha went from being on the verge of being sold last summer to becoming a Ballon d'Or candidate, thanks to his splendid form in front of goal and his leadership qualities. Flick entrusted him with the armband early on in the 2024-25 season, and the Brazilian repaid his manager's faith with interest. However, things aren't as hunky-dory at the club heading into the upcoming campaign, with Ter Stegen, the first captain, embroiled in a war with the club's higher-ups following the arrival of Joan Garcia. To make matters worse, he posted an individual statement following a surgery on his lower back, stating that he would be out of action for three months. This infuriated Barca, who were kept in the dark and had hoped to post a joint statement to help them register new signings using 80 per cent of German's salary. 

Speaking in an interview with SPORT, Raphinha admitted that being Barca's captain was not one of his dreams.

"Well, the truth is that, if I said it was a dream, I would be lying, because in the end I hadn’t dreamt of being captain," he said. "It was something that happened, and to be able to see my teammates see me like that, as a captain in the dressing room, is very gratifying."

Asked whether Ter Stegen should remain one of the captains next season, Raphinha explained: "Yes, in my opinion, but in the end it’s not something that depends on us. Since I arrived he has always helped me, and he was already the captain. In football, there are hierarchies, and we have to respect them. For me, even if he is not, he will still be a special person. Whether there are votes or not is a question for the coach or the president."

Barca will return to Spain after playing their final pre-season game of the Asia tour on August 4, against Daegu FC. They will play the annual Joan Gamper Trophy game, against Como, on August 10, before playing the opening game of La Liga away at Mallorca on August 16.