New Barcelona captain Marc-Andre ter Stegen remembers two names from last season in first speech

Barcelona announced on Sunday evening that Sergi Roberto would not be returning to the club after his contract expired this summer. It means that the captaincy has passed over to Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who at 32 has been at the club for a decade this summer.

Ter Stegen, who is the first captain not reared at La Masia for two decades since Luis Enrique wore the armband in 2004, addressed the fans for the first time in his new role at the showcase Joan Gamper trophy match. As the squad was presented to the fans at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys at Montjuic, ter Stegen started his speech in Catalan, before thanking two faces who have departed the club.

A high-profile guest at the Joan Gamper trophy this evening. #FCBarcelona pic.twitter.com/Uy9uufHzaF

— Football España (@footballespana_) August 12, 2024

“We want to thank Xavi and all his staff for the effort and sacrifice they have made. We also want to congratulate Sergi Roberto for what he has achieved with the club of his life. Surely they will always be remembered in our house as two legends.”

Ya puedo morir en paz, los últimos instantes de mi vida serán viendo este vídeo pic.twitter.com/3Z3DIo3Bfb

— 𝕿𝖊𝖗𝕾𝖙𝖊𝖌𝖊𝖓𝕮𝖆𝖕𝖎𝖙𝖆𝖓 CAMPEONES 4️⃣🇪🇦 (@TerStegenCF_) August 12, 2024

Ter Stegen also welcomed his compatriot and new coach Hansi Flick, and thanked the fans too.

“We start this new season with great enthusiasm and welcome the new coach. We hope it will be a season with many successes. Furthermore, it will be the return to our beloved home, the Spotify Camp Nou.”

“Thank you very much for always supporting us, culers.”

There were some whistles when De Jong and Lenglet came on to the pitch to greet the fans ahead of the upcoming season. @jordicardero

— barcacentre (@barcacentre) August 12, 2024

Ronald Araujo, Frenkie de Jong and Robert Lewandowski are expected to join ter Stegen in the captaincy group, the former two as a result of longevity, and the latter due to his status in the team.