Barcelona Set To Undergo Major Leadership Changes In 2023 With Four New Captains Named

One of the main reasons Culers has enjoyed watching Barcelona play this season is the new signings’ freshness and the youngsters’ ability to thrive under pressure.

With Xavi spearheading Barça’s rebuild in the 2022/23 season, in particular, it has been revealed that new changes in the club’s leadership core may be implemented next term.

According to Javi Miguel’s report on Culemania, the club expects its current four captains – Sergio Busquets, Gerard Pique, Jordi Alba, and Sergi Roberto – to leave in the summer of 2023.

Pique and Alba have both played little in the new season and appear to be well past their prime, with little chance of forcing their way back into the side.

According to recent reports, Barcelona is hoping that Pique will retire at the end of the season after his relationship with manager Xavi became strained.

With Alejandro Balde and Marcos Alonso ahead of him in the pecking order, Alba could be on his way out next year. Meanwhile, both Busquets and Roberto’s contracts will expire at the end of the current season.

Keeping this in mind, stand-in captains such as Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Robert Lewandowski are likely to gain newfound leadership roles among the senior players next season.

In terms of young players, Pedri and Ronald Araujo could be the other two captains who make up the leadership core for the upcoming season.

While it is expected that Ousmane Dembele would like to be one of the captains, the decision will be made by the players, who are unlikely to choose him.

Given ter Stegen’s experience in the dressing room and recent form, he may be the best candidate to succeed Busquets as club captain if the legendary midfielder leaves next summer.

While Lewandowski only joined the club this summer, his standing in the game, as well as the respect he commands within the team, make him an ideal candidate for the role.

With Pedri and Araujo also expected to be given major responsibilities, Barcelona is essentially breeding future captains, which speaks volumes about the club’s long-term vision.