O CAPTAIN !, MY CAPTAIN !.

TO CHOOSE A FOOTBALL TEAM CAPTAIN.

It is not an easy decision, a bad choice can be very expensive, just look at the case of AC Milan when Paolo Maldini or Franco Baresi were the team captains/leaders and when they ceased to be. The team noticed a very important leadership vacuum after their departure, which greatly harmed the group in the long run.

Choosing a captain is a vital part in creating a great team and we can find many examples: Puyol, Raúl, Oliver Kahn, John Terry, Steven Gerrard, Buffon, etc…

They are mentally strong, with personality, respected on/off the field and with a great influence within the locker room that allows teams to reach the top. It is the captains who must set an example and lead the team on the pitch.

There is no right or wrong decision when it comes to appointing a captain, however, there are a number of characteristics to be based on in deciding who should lead the locker room.

AGE AND THE EXPERIENCE.

One of the first things to look at. Rarely will we see a young player wearing the captain’s bracelet of a great team. Considering the number of games you have played in first teams is a good idea, experience is important. With age, usually comes mental ability, most players reach their best level between the ages of 25 and 30, so the candidate should be between that age.

THE TIME SPENT AT THE CLUB.

A crucial feature, the captain must know the club (its history and its values). No one in the locker room would like to see a newcomer take over the captaincy as soon as he arrives, neither the fans nor the rest of the staff.

FEELING OF CLUB.

It does not seem an obvious feature, but it should not be overlooked. Feeling part of the club, its values, loving the colors or knowing the history of the club, things like these are very important for the harmony in the whole team. It can be very beneficial for the staff if the captain loves the club, since we know you will do anything to help achieve success.

THE STATE OF MIND.

It can work in two different ways. Having a captain with low morale can drag other players to the same mental state, on the contrary if the captain has high morale and does not fall down morally (especially when the results are not good) it will be much easier for others to reach their best level.

RELATIONSHIP WITH TEAM MATES.

To avoid confrontations or problems between players, try not to choose an unpopular figure in the locker room as captain, players will not like it and will react badly to the decision.

PERSONALITY.

This feature can highlight a true leader among others. Avoid naming an unstable or selfish player as captain and focus more on leading personalities or well-determined professionals. They’re the best choice for locker room.

THE POSITION IN THE FIELD.

It is not something that really matters, but it is worth considering. The captain is usually a defender or a midfielder, usually better off than the forwards. That being said, the man with the best conditions may play in that position.

MENTALITY.

They’re very important, since we need a captain with great mental strength. Brave, with influence or determination, although a mentally balanced player can also be a good choice. It’s so important because the captains are in charge of leading the team in the field, so they have to be mentally tough to do that job.

ATTITUDE.

Having a lazy captain is suicide. Other players, especially young ones, usually copy what their captain does. That translates to the rest of the team, so if the captain is lazy, the rest of the players will be lazy, too. On the contrary, if the captain works hard he will also convey that idea to the rest of his colleagues.

TEAMWORK.

A leader must be able to work for and for the team, get the rest of his teammates to do the same. That is one of the reasons why a forward can be a poor choice as captain, they are often selfish and are more concerned about scoring goals than the whole.

HELP TO ADAPT TO THE NEW ARRIVALS.

It is very important when new players arrive to the team, of different culture, country, language and customs to have a captain to help them in the adaptation. Introducing them to the group, helping them in the new city and with the language is fundamental for the person to integrate quickly and effectively. As we said before, show him the values of the club and its history.

HELP THE YOUNGER ONES GROW.

It is common for teams to find very young players on the roster (players who have risen from base football, signing young promises or giving away strong teams who want to give minutes to players to help in their formation). The captain thanks to his personality and values is a mirror where to look at themselves, helping in their growth especially at mental level (on and off the field) improve their game (if they share position on the field), in short act as a tutor to contribute to the player’s growth.

ONE CAPTAIN FOR YEARS.

When a captain is elected it is good to ask a couple of questions. Will he still be captain in a few years? , will it continue to maintain the same level?. The answer tells us that it is not advisable to name a 33-year-old player as captain, or someone you think will leave at the end of the season.

CONCLUSION.

Mentally weak, selfish or very young players are not good choices. The captain must be someone who gives everything for and for the team, who feels the colors and who is able to convince the rest of his teammates that a match can be overcome. The captain is the link between the coach and the rest of the players.