Lionel Messi has been confirmed as Barcelona’s new club captain following the departure of long-serving midfielder Andres Iniesta.

Iniesta had worn the armband since Xavi’s exit ahead of the 2015-16 campaign, although Messi has served as captain on numerous occasions in that time having been promoted to second skipper in 2015 too.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has now been named as the team’s primary captain, following in the footsteps of the likes of Carles Puyol, Xavi and Iniesta as La Masia products to be handed the honour.

Indeed, all four members of Barcelona’s leadership team hail from the club’s academy, with Sergio Busquets being promoted to second captain, Gerard Pique being named as third captain and Sergi Roberto taking over from Javier Mascherano as the fourth captain.

It is the first time since 2014-15 that all four of Barcelona’s captains have been La Masia graduates.