“It’s a big honour,” says Messi on captaincy during Barcelona’s Joan Gamper trophy match against Boca Juniors.
Andres Iniesta left Barcelona ahead of this this season. By departing the club, he not only left goodbye to his childhood home but also left a big captaincy void at the Catalan outfit. Following his farewell, Lionel Messi was announced as Barcelona captain last week. The Little Genius getting the armband seemed imminent as he would take up captaincy duties in Iniesta’s absence since the last few seasons.
Leo Messi spoke before the Joan Gamper Trophy clash against Boca Juniors for the first time after being named the Spanish champions’ captain. He extended gratitude towards senior and former players like Carles Puyol, Xavi and Iniesta.
In his speech in front of the Camp Nou, the Argentinian also spoke about his desire to bring back the UEFA Champions League title back to the Camp Nou.
Since the last three seasons, Barcelona have been eliminated in the competition’s quarter finals at the hands of Atletico Madrid, Juventus and AS Roma. At the same time, everyone associated with the club had to go through the agony of seeing their fiercest rivals, Real Madrid, lift three consecutive European trophies.
Barcelona’s captain promised about delivering the Champions League and giving it the most importance this campaign.
“It’s a big honour to be the captain of this club. I had the luck to follow great examples such as Puyol, Xavi and of course the big Iniesta. We will miss him a lot,” said the 31 year old in front of a packed Camp Nou.
“Previous season we couldn’t win the Champions League, but we promise that this year we will do everything in order to get the trophy back to the Camp Nou. Visca Barça y Visca Catalunya!” added Messi.
Barcelona and Lionel Messi are officially off to the mark for the new season having lifted the Supercopa de Espana last weekend. Their league season kicks off with a visit of Deportivo Alaves to the Camp Nou on Saturday night.
