Ronald Araujo takes over as Barcelona strip Marc-Andre ter Stegen of captaincy

The German goalkeeper has been hit with a disciplinary case after refusing to sign off on a medical report concerning his recent back surgery, which the club needs to submit to La Liga.

This standoff has led to a rare show of unity between Barcelona's board, sporting directorate, and coaching staff, who have collectively agreed to relieve Ter Stegen of his leadership role until the issue is resolved.

In an official statement, Barcelona confirmed: "Following the opening of a disciplinary procedure against the player Marc-André ter Stegen, and while this matter remains unresolved, the club, in agreement with the sporting directorate and technical staff, have decided to temporarily withdraw the first-team captaincy from him."

The statement added that Ronald Araujo, previously the vice-captain, would assume the captain's duties during this period. Sources close to the club suggest Barcelona believe Ter Stegen's refusal is a deliberate act that's hindering their ability to register new players, a critical issue given their financial constraints.

The timing of the decision is significant, as it comes just days before the traditional Joan Gamper Trophy match against Como on Sunday.

Typically, the club captain addresses the fans before the game, but with tensions high, Barcelona have opted to avoid any awkwardness by handing the microphone to Araujo instead. It would have been a risky move to let Ter Stegen speak given the current friction.

Looking ahead, there's talk within the club of holding a fresh vote in the coming weeks to decide on a permanent captain. Given the strained relationship between Ter Stegen and the board, it seems unlikely he'll reclaim the armband.

The goalkeeper's stance has raised questions about his role as a mediator between the squad and the club's hierarchy, a key part of the captain's responsibilities.

This captaincy shake-up adds another layer of intrigue to Barcelona's season, as they navigate both on-pitch challenges and off-field drama.