Barca hand Roberto captaincy as academy graduate takes armband from Busquets

Sergi Roberto is the new captain of Barcelona.

The Spaniard has been with the club ever since joining the youth academy in 2006.

He inherits the position from Sergio Busquets, who recently left the club to join former team-mate Lionel Messi at Inter Miami.

It marks an emotional appointment for a 31-year-old who joined La Masia aged just 14 and has since played nearly 350 times for the senior team.

Barcelona announced his official ascension to the captaincy on social media.

Roberto already has leadership experience, having been vice-captain while Busquets was at the club and previously part of the senior leadership group of players.

In March, he committed his future to the club by signing a contract extension until 2024.

That deal contains a buyout clause valued at a gigantic €400million, though that’s small change compared to the €1billion release clauses in Gavi and Pedri’s contracts.

With La Blaugrana, he has won La Liga seven times, the Copa del Rey six times, the Champions League twice, and one FIFA Club World Cup.

Able to play in right-back or central midfield and familiar with a range of tactical systems, he has made himself a significant player for Barca over the last decade.

Despite not playing as much in recent seasons, he is still a hugely trusted figure at the Nou Camp and is seen as a figure who retains Barcelona’s style of play and club values.

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