Barcelona is preparing to make a historic decision regarding Raphinha

Barcelona is gearing up for a significant shift in the club's power structure before the 2026/27 campaign. Raphinha has been selected for a unique position, marking an unprecedented milestone at Camp Nou.

According to ESPN Brasil and Sport, Raphinha will be elevated to the position of official captain of Barcelona for the 2026/27 season. The decision comes amid the Catalan club's recent major changes in its captaincy group.

Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Ronald Araujo, the top two captains in the order last season, have both left Barcelona on loan. Ter Stegen moved to Ajax Amsterdam, while Araujo joined Liverpool.

Notably, Frenkie de Jong will not take over the top position. The Dutch midfielder was previously ahead of Raphinha in the captaincy order and theoretically the natural candidate after Ter Stegen and Araujo left. However, Barcelona is reported to have placed its trust in the Brazilian star.

According to the new order revealed by the media, Raphinha will be the first captain, De Jong is second, while Pedri continues to hold an important position in the leadership group. Eric Garcia and Gavi are also mentioned in the process of finalizing the new captaincy. If confirmed, the decision will write Raphinha into Barcelona's history.

The 29-year-old will become the first Brazilian to be appointed as the first captain of the Catalan club. This milestone is even more remarkable given that Barcelona has had a host of Brazilian legends such as Romario, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho, Dani Alves, and Neymar.

For Raphinha, this is also a major step forward in status since he moved to Camp Nou from Leeds United in the summer of 2022.

Initially, the future of the Brazilian winger was not always certain. Raphinha was often involved in transfer rumors, but his on-field performances and growing influence in the dressing room have made him one of the most important figures at Barcelona.

In particular, the 2024/25 season became a turning point in Raphinha's career. He scored 34 goals and provided 25 assists in all competitions, helping to place himself among the most outstanding attacking players in Europe. Raphinha later finished fifth in the 2025 Ballon d'Or voting.

But expertise is not the only factor that makes the Brazilian player highly regarded. Raphinha's fighting spirit, pressing ability, and fierce attitude have often been seen as exemplary in Hansi Flick's squad. Even without directly wearing the captain's armband, he has frequently demonstrated a leadership role on the pitch.

Raphinha has publicly admitted that becoming the first captain of Barcelona would be 'a great honor,' while affirming that it will not change the way he supports younger teammates as well as experienced players.

Now, after consecutive upheavals at Camp Nou, that opportunity is truly approaching.

From a player who once faced many questions about his future, Raphinha is preparing to enter the new season in a completely different position: the chosen one to lead Barcelona's leadership group and with the opportunity to create an unprecedented milestone in the club's history.