Lionel Messi Named FC Barcelona Captain for New Season Replacing Andres Iniesta

Barcelona: Spanish football giants FC Barcelona on Friday named Argentine superstar Lionel Messi as their captain, replacing Andres Iniesta, for the new season. Iniesta, who had led the Catalan giants since 2015, moved to Japanese side Vissel Kobe earlier this summer.

Messi, 31, has previously led Barca in Iniesta's absence but will now begin the campaign as the club's regular captain, according to a club release.

Messi is the club's all-time record goalscorer with 552 in all competitions. IANS