Barcelona hand Sergi Roberto club captaincy as academy graduate takes armband from Sergio Busquets

Sergi Roberto is the new captain of Barcelona.

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

He inherits the position from Sergio Busquets, who recently left the club to join Inter Miami with former teammate Lionel Messi.

It is an emotional appointment for a 31-year-old who joined La Masia at the age of 14 and has since made nearly 350 appearances for the senior team.

Barcelona announced its official ascension on social media.

Manager Xavi used to play with Roberto for Barca and has promoted him from vice-captain

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Roberto already has leadership experience, having been vice-captain when 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 includes a buyout clause worth a massive €400 million, although that is a small change compared to the €1 billion release clauses in Gavi and Pedri’s contracts.

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

He can play at right-back or midfield and is familiar with a range of tactical systems. He has made himself an important player for Barca over the past ten years.

Despite not playing as much in recent seasons, he is still a hugely trusted figure in Nou Camp.

However, the Nou Camp in question looks very different today than it used to.

Fans were shocked to see footage showing the walls of the historic stadium being torn down as they prepared it for renovation.

The upcoming season they will play at the Olympic Stadium, the home of the 1992 Olympic Games, while work is being done on their stadium, including the installation of a roof.

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