FC Barcelona’s four captains might not be back next season with the team, according to an ESPN report that cites the alleged desires of the team’s brass.
The four team captains are Sergio Busquets, Gerard Pique, Jordi Alba and Sergi Roberto, coincidentally are all former teammates of the now manager, Xavi Hernandez.
Sergio Busquets and Sergi Roberto’s contract expire next summer, so they can start negotiating with their next club as soon as in January 2023, while Jordi Alba and Gerard Pique are signed for one more season beyond that.
The captains have lost minutes on the pitch
Jordi Alba and Gerard Pique are no longer starters regularly in Barcelona’s squad, with Sergi Roberto having seen minutes regularly due to the injuries to several of his teammates.
Sergio Busquets remains as the only starting calliber player among the captains, but he’ll decide his future after the 2022 Qatar FIFA World Cup next month, as he’s reportedly contemplating some offers from the MLS to finish his career in the United States.
Age also factors in for this captains, as Sergi Roberto is the youngest of the quartet but at 30 years old already.
Some captains are amongst Barcelona’s highest paid players
Barcelona is eager to let go of some of their captains like Gerard Pique and Jordi Alba, specially as the pair are amongst the highest paid players in the club, so the team will look to find suitors to take on their millionaire contracts.
The team president, Joan Laporta has publicly stated that the high salaries of some players made it impossible for the team to look for players to buy or get in a loan.