Frenkie de Jong leads Barcelona’s captaincy race as Marc-Andre ter Stegen faces internal pressure, but the path is not all that smooth.

Ter Stegen’s role under serious threatGavi trains on the rest dayLeadership vote could reshape Barca hierarchyFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Dutch international De Jong has emerged as the leading candidate to replace Marc-Andre ter Stegen as Barca captain for the 2025-26 season, reports. The midfielder is reportedly favoured by both players and staff to take on the armband, as tensions grow between the club and current skipper Ter Stegen, who has refused to sign a key medical report, potentially triggering disciplinary action and a change in leadership. But, there's a twist to this tale as the Spanish midfielder Gavi is also among the frontrunners and is making a case for the leadership role. 

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The club are preparing for a future where internal leadership and dedication outweigh status or past glories. With Ter Stegen’s influence waning amid behind-the-scenes friction, Camp Nou seem intent on ushering in a more collective and culturally grounded leadership model, built around players like De Jong, Ronald Araujo, Pedri and Gavi. Meanwhile, Gavi turned up to training on his rest day alongside six other players, including Ferran Torres, a move widely interpreted as a statement of commitment. He also wore the armband during the club’s recent Asian tour, showcasing the trust Hansi Flick places in him.

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Ter Stegen’s refusal to submit a medical report critical for player registration has fractured his standing at the club. Now, De Jong, who has evolved from a transfer-linked midfielder to a core leader since joining from Ajax in 2019, has steadily climbed the internal hierarchy. While, Araujo and Raphinha are set to become vice-captains, with Pedri and Gavi, or potentially Inigo Martínez, rounding out the leadership group.

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Getty/GOALWHAT NEXT FOR BARCELONA?

If the captaincy vote goes ahead and De Jong is officially chosen, it will signal the start of a new leadership chapter at Camp Nou. All eyes will now turn to how this transition affects dressing-room dynamics and Barcelona’s rebuild across the 2025-26 campaign.