Iniesta handed Barcelona captaincy following Xavi's departure

By Alex Fisher, Alex Fisher

Published September 15, 2015

PASADENA, UNITED STATES - JULY 21: Andres Iniesta of FC Barcelona during the International Champions Cup 2015 match between FC Barcelona and Los Angeles Galaxy at Rose Bowl on July 21, 2015 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images)

Andres Iniesta will take over as Barcelona captain following the departure of Xavi to Al-Sadd, it has been confirmed.

Iniesta had served as Xavi's deputy in recent years and has been elected as the European champions' skipper for the 2015-16 campaign by his teammates.

Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets were re-elected as second and third choices, while Javier Mascherano is now fourth in line for the armband.

Center back Gerard Pique has missed out, despite recently revealing he would like to captain his boyhood club one day.

FOX Soccer and Goal.com have teamed up to bring you the best in world soccer coverage. Visit Goal.com, and follow them on Twitter and Facebook.

More from Goal.com:

Live transfer blog: Latest news from summer window

The summer's most expensive transfers

Transfer talk: 24/7 source for the latest rumors

URL

https://www.foxnews.com/sports/iniesta-handed-barcelona-captaincy-following-xavis-departure