Pablo Páez Gavira, Gavi, premiered the captaincy of FC Barcelona in the preseason during the friendly match against FC Seoul (3-7). The midfielder entered in the second half, scoring the sixth goal for the 'culés' and, in a chat with 'RAC 1', he valued being able to wear the 'azulgrana' armband.
"It's a dream for me to wear it. It's something that motivates me even more to give that extra when I wear the armband", he expressed regarding the captaincy. In that sense, he did not hesitate to support his teammate Marc-André ter Stegen, whose future at the club is in doubt.
"There are captains and you have to respect the hierarchy. It's a dream that every 'culé' thinks about (wearing the armband). I think the players will vote, for sure", he said about how the order of the captaincy will be chosen in 25/26.
In turn, he added: "Marc is the first captain in the team and in the end the players also vote. What the team decides, that's how it will be. He has had a very bad injury", argued the Andalusian. The '1' will be out for at least three months after undergoing surgery for his lumbar problems.
Gavi is clear: Ter Stegen should keep the captaincy of Barça
Similarly, the Spanish midfielder did not skimp on praise for the 'azulgrana' goalkeeper, who has been at the club for eleven years and two as first captain, after the departures of Gerard Piqué and Sergio Busquets.
"Marc is a legend of the club and you have to respect him for who he is. When he returns from the injury we will see and the coach will decide", added the '6' 'culé'. Ter Stegen, in principle, could return to action in mid-November.
However, Hansi Flick has Joan García as a starter and Wojciech Szczesny on the bench to protect the Barça goal. 'Matts' has three years left on his contract and, for now, is reluctant to leave despite knowing that he has been relegated to a secondary role.
In addition, his time off has generated annoyance in the board. In principle, the club expected to give him a four-month leave to save 80% of his salary, but the goalkeeper anticipated this by assuring that he would return before his injury.
Ter Stegen could take Gavi as an example after his return to Barça
Thus, the scenario looks very complex for Ter Stegen's future at Can Barça. What is a fact is that, if he finally rules out leaving in the summer market, the German international will be a substitute for the rest of the year and, could even go to the stands if his relationship with the board ends up breaking down.
Marc-André was already out for seven months due to a knee injury the previous year. However, unlike Gavi, the '1' intended to regain the starting position immediately after his return at the end of April, an attitude that did not sit well with the coaching staff.
The Andalusian midfielder, on the other hand, agreed to gradually add minutes after almost a year injured and, at this moment, despite knowing that he is a substitute behind Frenkie de Jong and Pedri González, he continues working hard to help the team whenever he has to play.
In Flick's Barça, hard work makes the difference. Whoever does the most merits will play more. The starting position is not about hierarchies, but about current affairs and performance. The results, for now, do not admit discussion to the method of the German coach.
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