Real Madrid’s four-man captain list revealed after Marcelo departure

Robin Bairner

3 Jun 2022 09:39 CDT
3 min read

Karim Benzema, Real Madrid, 2021/22 — © ProShots

Real Madrid have wasted no time in deciding who their four captains will be next season following the departure of Marcelo.

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The Brazil international left-back’s contract will expire on 30 June, at which point he will become a free agent. Los Blancos have already announced that he will not be offered a new deal after 15 years of service.

Marcelo had been the club captain for the 2021/22 season and will relinquish that duty when he departs.

Karim Benzema is set to become that captain, but this should come as little surprise since the France international star has often worn the armband this term given that the Brazilian has been a peripheral figure in the squad.

He is set to be supported by two of his fellow deputy captains from the 2021/22 campaign. Nacho Fernandez will become the vice-captain, with Luka Modric third in line.

Real Madrid’s four-man captaincy structure will be maintained, however. This will be done by promoting right-back Dani Carvajal to the captaincy group.

The 30-year-old has spent virtually all of his professional career at the club, save the 2012/13 season, which he was at Bayer Leverkusen. He has played 330 times for Real Madrid, scoring seven goals, and supplied the cross for Vinicius Junior that helped Los Blancos win the Champions League in May.

Real Madrid’s captains

Benzema will become just the sixth Real Madrid captain of the millennium. Manuel Sanchis led the club into the 21st century. The responsibility has subsequently been shared by a string of legendary figures, starting with Fernando Hierro. Raul then took on the responsibility for seven years before Iker Casillas and Sergio Ramos shared the honour throughout the 2010s.

Marcelo was captain of the club for just a single season.

Benzema will succeed him and will become just the third foreign captain of Real Madrid in more than 100 years, with Mexican Jose Ramon Sauto the other to have had the responsibility from 1942-44.