Lamine Yamal has been named among Barcelona’s captains for the 2026-27 season at just 19 years old, putting the teenage superstar on the verge of another piece of club history.
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick confirmed the club’s new leadership hierarchy ahead of Sunday’s La Liga meeting with Valencia, with Raphinha taking over as the team’s first captain following Marc-André ter Stegen’s loan move to Ajax.
Pedri was selected as the primary vice-captain, while the remaining positions were decided through a vote involving the Barcelona squad.
Flick revealed that Eric García, Frenkie de Jong and Yamal were chosen to complete the five-man leadership group.
“For me, it was important that I have two captains. I decided two and the other players were named by the team,” Flick said.
“So first is Raphinha, second is Pedri, third is Eric, then Frenkie and Lamine.”
The decision underlined Yamal’s growing influence inside the Barcelona dressing room despite his age. The winger has rapidly progressed from one of the club’s most exciting young prospects into one of its most important players.
Flick also explained why Raphinha and Pedri were his preferred choices at the top of the hierarchy, pointing to their influence within the squad and their regular involvement on the pitch.
“When I see the team, the players who have a lot of influence, this is for me Raphinha and also Pedri — also because they nearly always play,” Flick added. “It was a clear decision. As I said, I know the team much better than before. It’s a good group, a good leadership team.”
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Yamal could break Barcelona captaincy record
Yamal’s inclusion could lead to another historic achievement before the season ends.
Bojan Krkić currently holds the record as the youngest player to captain Barcelona in a competitive match. He was 20 years and 56 days old when he wore the armband during a Copa del Rey match in 2010.
Gavi later became the second-youngest player to captain the club when Pedri handed him the armband during his return from a lengthy injury layoff. Gavi was 20 years and 76 days old at the time.
Yamal, who does not turn 20 until July 2027, could now surpass both players if he is handed the armband during the season.
That would add another remarkable milestone to a career that had already produced several records before the winger reached his 20th birthday.
Flick raises fresh concern over Yamal fitness
The captaincy news was followed by a fitness concern, however, after Flick confirmed that Yamal had trained separately ahead of Barcelona’s clash with Valencia.
The teenager had been dealing with pain after taking a knock but was still expected to travel with the squad.
“He trained separately. He’s fine. He’ll travel. We’ll see,” Flick said.
“He had pain from a knock and is training separately. But he says he’s fine and could play.”
Flick remained cautious over whether Yamal would feature, admitting that a final decision would be made closer to the game.
“We have to wait to see if he plays. We’ll decide. I don’t know if he’ll rest or not. He wants to play. He doesn’t like to train separately.”
Yamal had endured a quiet opening to the new campaign by his usual standards, failing to register a goal or assist in Barcelona’s first two league matches despite the team scoring seven times.
He responded emphatically against Rayo Vallecano, scoring twice in Barcelona’s 5-2 victory and looking much closer to the player who had terrorised defenders throughout the previous campaign.
Barcelona entered the Valencia fixture with a chance to maintain their perfect start to the La Liga season after Real Madrid suffered a surprise defeat to Real Betis.
For Yamal, the immediate priority was his fitness and helping Barcelona continue their strong start. But if Flick eventually hands him the captain’s armband, the teenager could also make history as the youngest player ever to lead the Catalan giants in a competitive match.
