Lamine Yamal added to Barcelona captains before Valencia trip

A new captain on the armband list before Valencia

The Barcelona squad news that matters this weekend is not a predicted XI. Lamine Yamal has been added to Barcelona’s captains for this season. Fabrizio Romano reported the decision was made by Hansi Flick and by a players’ vote, citing Mundo Deportivo.

Yamal is 19. The promotion puts him inside the leadership group that can wear the armband and speak for the dressing room. It is an official internal decision, not a fan poll. Barcelona sit top of La Liga after three wins from three, with Real Madrid and Real Betis also on nine points after an extra match.

Valencia vs Barcelona is listed among Saturday’s La Liga fixtures, with kick-off scheduled in the mid-afternoon Spanish window on 5 September 2026. Flick’s side travel with a new name on the captaincy sheet.

The vote sits alongside a busy Camp Nou summer. Barcelona signed Gabriel Jesus after missing Julián Álvarez and have already used academy players in the opening weeks. Yamal’s elevation is separate from those transfer files: it is a leadership change inside the existing squad.

Where to watch

La Liga rights vary by country. Do not assume a single worldwide channel. Check the official LaLiga broadcaster list for your territory before Valencia vs Barcelona. In Spain the match is part of the regular weekend package; international feeds follow local partners.

The story here is the armband group, confirmed on Saturday morning by Romano from Mundo Deportivo, not a match preview.

Flick and the players chose Yamal. That is the news. Valencia vs Barcelona is where it is first on show.