Raphinha Hands Captain's Armband to Lewandowski as He Departs Barcelona

Robert Lewandowski, the 37‑year‑old Polish striker, announced his departure from FC Barcelona after four seasons and received the captain's armband from teammate Raphinha before the match against Real Betis at Spotify Camp Nou. The gesture marked Lewandowski's farewell, as Raphinha was originally set to wear the armband because regular captain Ronald Araujo was on the bench and Frenkie de Jong was unavailable due to illness. Lewandowski joined Barcelona in 2022 and has been a key figure in the attack, scoring regularly, but will leave the club at the end of the season. The Real Betis game was the first fixture after his announcement, and he wore the armband during the pre‑match ceremony. Raphinha, the Brazilian winger, handed over the symbol of leadership as a sign of respect for the Polish forward. Barcelona will need to appoint a new captain for the remainder of the campaign, with Araujo and other senior players expected to step up. The club confirmed that Lewandowski's departure will be effective at season’s end, and he will return to his home country. Supporters responded with applause as Lewandowski walked off the pitch, acknowledging his contributions to the club. Looking ahead, Barcelona will focus on the league race while preparing for the upcoming transfer window. Lewandowski's next steps remain unclear, but his legacy at Barcelona includes multiple titles and a prolific scoring record.