FC Barcelona confirmed their new captains for the 2023/2024 season in July of this year, and ever since then, they have seen the various captains showcase their individual leadership skills as well as their quality on the field.
Barcelona have been a formidable side under the guidance of the four captains, and the Catalan giants will hope to ensure that continuity. However, a particular Dutchman, who is currently one of Barcelona’s captains, received words of advice from a rather young source.
According to exclusive information provided by La Vanguardia (h/t Barca Times), 26-year-old Dutch midfielder Frenkie De Jong was given motivation by his younger teammate Pedri when the former Ajax star was named as Barcelona’s third captain alongside other teammates Sergi Roberto, Ter Stegen and Ronald Araujo.
The 20-year-old Canary Islander reportedly told his Dutch teammate that he deserved the position and had the merit to hold it over others who may have been touted to be eligible for that position, stating:
“You deserve it more than anyone else. I have been here for several years and you always showed the image that a captain should give.”
The words echo a sense of responsibility and leadership not just towards the persona of the Dutch midfielder, but also reflecting towards the Spaniard who gave him motivation in the first place.
Pedri has previously himself shown great qualities as a leader on the field and reportedly even within the dressing room as he tends to link well with all his teammates, even giving advice to the likes of Gavi on occasions such as the Ballon D’or ceremony.
The 20-year-old was also among those speculated to be in the running for one of the spots among the four captains to be chosen prior to July.
However, possibly due to his young age, the Spaniard watched other teammates take on the responsibility but that did not stop the youngster from giving words of encouragement to his teammates.
