Barcelona’s two ‘serious’ candidates to take over Pique’s captaincy – report

Gerard Pique’s early departure leaves a huge hole in the team in multiple ways. Firstly, it is the end of a two-decade-long fairytale, filled with glittering trophies and achievements.

It also leaves behind a void in defence for Barcelona as they are now down to four centre-backs this season, the oldest of whom is Andreas Christensen at 26 years.

And finally, it means the club are now short of a captain. Pique held the vice-captain’s armband from last season following Lionel Messi’s departure, playing second fiddle to Sergio Busquets.

Barcelona players will have the chance to elect a new captain through a voting process. And if reports from SPORT are to be believed, Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Robert Lewandowski are the leading options to take over the armband.

Ter Stegen has been at the club since 2014, arriving from Borussia Monchengladbach for just under €10 million. Traditionally, the most experienced players are made captain, and he is, after Busquets, Sergi Roberto, and Jordi Alba, the player with the most Blaugrana time under his belt.

Lewandowski, on the other hand, is the second-oldest player in the squad, and has been playing top-flight football in the T5 leagues for more than a decade. He has, on a few occasions, captained Bayern Munich, and also holds the responsibility for the Poland national team.

Both players have been hailed for their leadership by the players, administration, and fans alike, and would, ideally, make for excellent deputies. We can expect a decision on this front almost immediately after the World Cup.