Raphinha handed Barcelona's interim captaincy as Flick awaits settled squad

Hansi Flick has appointed Raphinha as Barcelona’s interim captain for the start of the 2026-27 season, with Eric Garcia and Pedri named alongside him in a provisional leadership trio ahead of Wednesday’s Gamper Trophy against Al Ahly.

Speaking to Barcelona’s official media, Flick explained that he does not want to hold a definitive captaincy vote until the first-team squad is fully settled. Raphinha will address the Camp Nou crowd before the Gamper Trophy, stepping in for Frenkie de Jong, who is normally next in line but remains sidelined by the medial collateral ligament injury he sustained at the World Cup.

The need for a reshaped hierarchy stems from a turbulent summer. The departures of Marc-André ter Stegen and Ronald Araujo stripped Barcelona of two senior figures from their previous captaincy order, and De Jong’s unavailability left the club without an obvious incumbent. Rather than wait on the Dutchman’s recovery, Flick moved to install Raphinha at the front of the queue on a temporary basis.

Flick was explicit that nothing is final. He confirmed the formal vote has been delayed because further arrivals or departures remain possible before the transfer window closes. Once that business is done, players will vote on the permanent captaincy order — and De Jong could still be placed above Raphinha in that later ballot.

Barcelona are expected to hold the definitive vote closer to the end of the summer window. Until then, the Brazilian winger carries the armband into the Gamper Trophy and the opening weeks of the La Liga campaign.