Ter Stegen (Barca). At the start of the 2024-2025 season, after 10 years playing for Barca, Ter Stegen became captain. However, after rupturing his patellar tendon in 9/2024, he was sidelined for almost the entire season and lost his starting spot. Coach Hansi Flick placed more faith in Wojciech Szczesny, the goalkeeper who helped Barca win three titles since the beginning of 2025, and Joan Garcia, a new signing from Espanyol for 30 million USD.

During the summer transfer window, Barca wanted Ter Stegen to find a new club. However, this quickly led to conflict. To delay the transfer, the German goalkeeper reportedly underwent back surgery on his own and took a long-term break from playing. He even refused to sign the medical report, a document that Barca had to submit to La Liga organizers to assess the situation. If Ter Stegen was out for at least 5 months, Barca would be allowed to use up to 80% of his salary to register Szczesny, Garcia, and other players. But if the report was submitted late, these players would have to sit out until another solution was found.

Due to Ter Stegen's lack of cooperation, on 7/8, Barca took disciplinary action and temporarily revoked his captaincy. However, a day later, after the German goalkeeper agreed to sign the medical report, the management reversed the decision and reinstated him as captain.

Harry Maguire (Man Utd). In 7/2023, after a season of declining form, limited playing time, and losing his standing in the dressing room, Maguire was stripped of the captain's armband. Then-manager, Erik Ten Hag, needed a leader with greater influence both on and off the field. Bruno Fernandes subsequently took on the responsibility and remains captain today.

Mauro Icardi (Inter). In 2/2019, Inter stripped Icardi of his captaincy after months of disputes involving his then-wife and agent, Wanda Nara, whose statements caused friction with the management. Both the club's leadership and coach Luciano Spalletti felt the conflict was damaging team unity. Icardi reacted by refusing to play in the Europa League match against Rapid Vienna, effectively ending any chance of reconciliation. He moved to PSG during the summer transfer window.

William Gallas (Arsenal). The incident began with Gallas' outburst after a draw with Birmingham City: he refused to leave the field and kicked advertising boards. In 11/2008, after the French defender publicly criticized his teammates in interviews and an autobiography, former coach Arsene Wenger decided to strip him of the captaincy. After being fined, Gallas refused to play and was penalized with another two weeks' wages. Cesc Fabregas replaced him as captain.

Neymar (Brazil national team). After the French Cup final in 5/2019, Neymar punched a spectator who insulted him while he was receiving the silver medal. This act exposed his temper and drew criticism. Subsequently, Brazil's coach, Tite, appointed Dani Alves as captain instead of the number 10 forward. After Alves retired, the captaincy went to Thiago Silva and Marquinhos.

Granit Xhaka (Arsenal). On 27/10/2019, after being substituted in a 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace, the Swiss midfielder was booed by many fans. He responded sarcastically, putting his hands to his ears before taking off his shirt and throwing it to the ground. As a result, former coach Unai Emery stripped Xhaka of the captaincy and gave it to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Arsenal). After replacing Xhaka, Aubameyang faced disciplinary issues, repeatedly missing training sessions and matches. He also broke team rules by returning late from a trip to France in 12/2021. Determined to enforce a culture of professionalism, coach Mikel Arteta removed Aubameyang's captaincy. In 1/2022, the Gabonese striker moved to Barca.

John Terry (England national team). In 2/2010, former coach Fabio Capello stripped Terry of the captaincy due to an extramarital affair between the defender and Vanessa Perroncel, the girlfriend of former teammate Wayne Bridge. He stated that the decision was in the best interest of the team. Despite accepting the loss of the captaincy, Terry's public image was severely damaged.

Two years later, after regaining the captaincy, Terry was removed again for alleged racist remarks towards Anton Ferdinand. The Chelsea center-back denied the accusations, but the Football Association (FA) took strong action. This decision caused internal tension that led to Capello's resignation, as he felt the FA had undermined his authority over the team.

Robert Lewandowski (Poland national team). In early 6/2025, Lewandowski declined to play in two matches against Moldova and Finland due to exhaustion after a long season. Shortly after, citing the team's best interests, former coach Michał Probierz stripped the national team's all-time leading scorer of his captaincy.

The 36-year-old striker immediately reacted strongly, declaring he would not play for the national team as long as Probierz remained coach. After Poland lost 2-1 to Finland, Probierz was replaced by new coach Jan Urban. This change, according to Polish media, could pave the way for Lewandowski's return. However, it remains unclear whether he will continue to wear the captain's armband.

Samuel Eto'o (Cameroon national team). In 2011, Eto'o led a strike demanding that the Cameroon Football Federation pay bonuses to the players, resulting in an 8-month suspension. After the 2014 World Cup, former coach Volker Finke decided not to call up Eto'o and 12 other players, and handed the captaincy to Stephane Mbia. Subsequently, the former Barca and Inter star ended his international career with a record 56 goals for Cameroon. He became president of the Cameroon Football Federation in 12/2021.

Ngoc Tuan

Photo: Reuters, AFP