Ousmane Dembélé is set to embark on his seventh season at Barcelona, making him the third oldest player in the squad following the departures of Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba. The only players with more seniority are Sergi Roberto, who will reach his 11th year in the first team in the 2023-2024 season, and Ter Stegen, who is just one year ahead of Dembélé.
Despite enduring various challenges during his time at Camp Nou, including injury setbacks and tense contract negotiations, Dembélé's determination to succeed at Barcelona and his commitment to the club have never wavered. He has demonstrated his loyalty by opting not to activate the €50 million release clause in his contract, which expires on June 30, 2024. Dembélé feels a strong connection to the club and has no intention of leaving. In fact, he aims to extend his stay at Barcelona.
Dembélé's positive attitude and his influence in the locker room have not gone unnoticed, especially by new manager Xavi Hernandez. Xavi has expressed his satisfaction with the Frenchman, referring to him as a "very pleasant surprise." Dembélé has developed a close relationship with the younger players and is highly regarded and respected by his teammates.
Due to his maturity and enthusiasm, Dembélé's name is being mentioned as a strong contender to become one of the team captains in the upcoming season. Despite the initial perception of him being frivolous during his early days at Barcelona, the 26-year-old has grown into a more mature individual while maintaining his youthful energy. One of his biggest dreams, which he has publicly expressed, is to win the UEFA Champions League with Barcelona. These factors contribute to his candidacy for wearing the captain's armband.
With the departure of Gerard Piqué, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba, Sergi Roberto and Ter Stegen are currently the most experienced players in the squad. They are likely to retain their captaincy roles, and Robert Lewandowski and Frenkie de Jong are also contenders due to their seniority and influence in the dressing room. However, Dembélé's teammates have recognized his potential as a captain, and the final decision will be made through a team vote.
Regardless of who is ultimately chosen, the captaincy for the upcoming season will bring significant changes to Barcelona's first-team leadership. For Dembélé, being selected as captain would be a reward for his loyalty and a source of immense pride, as he would have the honor of wearing the 'senyera' on his left arm alongside the famous Blaugrana shirt.
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