With the imminent departure of Sergi Roberto from FC Barcelona, the club is set to elect a new captain to lead the team into the new season. The most likely candidate to inherit the armband is goalkeeper Marc André ter Stegen, who served as vice-captain last season and has established himself as a key figure within the squad.
Ter Stegen's position as the first-choice captain is further strengthened by his shared language with the new head coach, Hansi Flick. This shared language could prove beneficial for communication and understanding between the captain and the manager. The current vice-captain, Ronald Araújo, is expected to remain in that position, while Frenkie de Jong is poised to become the third captain.
The remaining captaincy spot will be filled through a vote amongst the players, but the exact timing of the vote is still unclear. While the announcement of Sergi Roberto's departure is yet to be officially made, it is likely that the vote will take place once the team returns from its pre-season tour of the United States. This could potentially happen after the Joan Gamper Trophy match, when all international players have rejoined the squad.
Several players are in contention for the fourth captaincy position, including Pedri, Robert Lewandowski, and Ilkay Gündogan. Lewandowski's strong relationship with Flick and his vast experience within the game make him a strong contender. He was also close to being elected a captain last year, only to be overtaken by De Jong.
Pedri, who has spent longer at the club than Gündogan, is considered the favourite for the position. Gündogan, despite being a prominent figure within the team, appears to be the least likely candidate. With a new season on the horizon, Barcelona is faced with the exciting task of electing a new captain to lead the club towards success.