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Barcelona: Announcement of new captains is a publicity stunt

By Chiranjib Ghosh

20th May 2018, Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain; La Liga football, Barcelona versus Real Sociedad; Andres Iniesta gives Messi the captain armband as he is substituted to rapturous applause (Photo by Pedro Salado/Action Plus via Getty Images)
20th May 2018, Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain; La Liga football, Barcelona versus Real Sociedad; Andres Iniesta gives Messi the captain armband as he is substituted to rapturous applause (Photo by Pedro Salado/Action Plus via Getty Images) /
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The announcement of the new set of captains is merely a sham

BARCELONA, SPAIN – MARCH 14: Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona wears the captains armband during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 Second Leg match FC Barcelona and Chelsea FC at Camp Nou on March 14, 2018 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
BARCELONA, SPAIN – MARCH 14: Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona wears the captains armband during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 Second Leg match FC Barcelona and Chelsea FC at Camp Nou on March 14, 2018 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images) /

The Barcelona management’s decision to appoint four La Masia graduates as captains of the team is merely a publicity stunt, nothing more. In recent years, talents like Álex Grimaldo and Sergio Gómez have been denied opportunities in the first-team squad.

Sergi Roberto is the last La Masia graduate to get into the first-team squad and succeed. Players like Munir and Sandro have been called up, but they haven’t given an opportunity to showcase their talent, with star signings like Neymar and Luis Suárez.

The new captains of the squad are, 31-year old central defender Gerard Piqué, 30-year old defensive midfielder, the relatively younger Sergi Roberto and the team leader in the second-greatest player of all-time, Lionel Messi.

This is nothing more than a sham. Leo Messi is not leader-material. A captain needs to inspire the team with his words, while Messi inspires through his performances. He is introverted, and not a proper captain, especially considering the magnitude of the club.

Sergi Roberto is too young to be handed vice-captaincy, especially considering that he is uncapped at the international level. The only two sensible candidates are Gerard Piqué and Sergio Busquets, who should have been selected as captain and vice-captain respectively, like in any other club.

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On the pitch, Gerard Piqué is the actual leader. He is shown shouting throughout the game, and was partially responsible for the miraculous comeback against Paris Saint-Germain after a 4-0 loss in the first-leg. It is time that he gets recognition for his work.

And more importantly, Piqué should be given the captain’s armband so that he can actually succeed Carles Puyol as the leader of the side. Neither Xavi nor Andrés Iniesta were as charismatic as Puyol, and they got the armband only by virtue of their seniority.

Ever since he was brought back to the club from Manchester United by Pep Guardiola, Gerard Piqué has been groomed to succeed his then-teammate Puyol. If he was given captaincy, he could actually fulfill his destiny.

As for Sergio Busquets, he is the undisputed leader of the side in midfielder. The way he dictates play in the centre makes him a natural leader, and he is also suited to the role of vice-captain by virtue of his age and experience.

Next. Is Ousmane Dembélé really on his way out of Barça?. dark

The management should hope that Leo Messi is not overburdened by this stunt performed by them. Despite of whatever symbols they show, La Masia is still being ignored.