The reasons why €80m Barcelona forward is such a great captain for the team | OneFootball

For any FC Barcelona side to succeed, the team needs good leadership behind it. Football is a team game after all, and there has to be someone present to unite the squad and lead them forward. However, leading a side like Barcelona is hardly any small feat, and not every player can manage it.

Over the years, the Catalan giants have seen many great leaders and captains come and go. The club has even enjoyed a lot of success with them in the team, but there must always come a time when the torch must be passed to a worthy successor in the future.

Now, in the present day, Barcelona have relied on one captain more than any of their other ones when it comes to rallying behind a leader on and off the pitch. That leader is none other than 28-year-old Brazilian forward Raphinha, who has been completely reborn this season.

As highlighted by Mundo Deportivo, the South American forward has been the great leader for Barcelona both on and off the pitch. Despite not exactly being the first name in terms of the captaincy this season, he has risen to the occasion considering the situations of all the other captains.

Following Marc-Andre Ter Stegen’s injury earlier in the season, coupled with Ronald Araujo still being in recovery at that time and Frenkie de Jong hardly finding any momentum, Raphinha stepped up as the fourth captain and has been synonymous with the armband ever since. He has led the team in games, and even away from them as well.

Whether it be to give the pre-match motivational speech, to call team meetings to address important issues or concerns, or even protecting his teammates on the pitch, Raphinha is always there. He is also responsible for guiding the youngsters as well, and for always nurturing them. In many ways, he has set a new standard for how players must be when they commit themselves to Barcelona.

Even individually, the €80 million-rated forward has become a complete force to be reckoned with. While he was always a talented player as seen by his time in the Premier League, the Barcelona star is now an entirely new menace altogether for opposition teams as he continues to be one of Europe’s most impressive forwards this season.