Barcelona have named four captains for the new season

Barcelona have confirmed Lionel Messi will be their captain from this season onwards.

The 31-year-old Argentine forward succeeds Andres Iniesta who ended a 22-year association with his boyhood club this summer by joining Japanese side Vissel Kobe.

Messi, who served as Iniesta’s vice-captain last season, has his own assistant in the guise of Sergio Busquets whilst Gerard Piqué and Sergi Roberto are third and fourth captains respectively

It follows a recent trend by the club to install leadership responsibilities on those who have graduated from their esteemed La Masia academy, though this season is the first since 2014/15 that Barça has four captains.

Messi, who broke into the first-team under Frank Rijkaard in 2005 which makes him the club’s present longest-serving player, follows in the recent footsteps of Carles Puyol, Xavi and the aforementioned Iniesta.

Four Barça captains for this season: all from La Masia!

1⃣ Messi
2⃣ Sergio
3⃣ @3gerardpique
4⃣ @SergiRoberto10 https://t.co/3ZPXmJr6Ub

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) August 10, 2018

Naturally, following the club’s decision, next on the most appearances list of those currently under Ernesto Valverde are Busquets and Piqué both of whom debuted under Pep Guardiola a decade ago.

Of the quartet Roberto is the youngest having played his first game, also coming during Guardiola’s reign, in 2010 but that still makes him an elder statesman.

Barcelona begin their La Liga title defence at home to Deportivo Alavés on August 18.

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