Luis Enrique named Barca captain

The expected announcement was made by Louis van Gaal, who has installed a new regime in his short time at Camp Nou, since his second coming in May.

A triumvirate of Luis Enrique, Philip Cocu and Carles Puyol will be the link between coach and team and van Gaal has shown his political nous by picking players across the spectrum of his squad, incorporating his Dutch contingent, the Catalans and in his captain, the rest of Spain.

Puyol, who had had a number of questions asked about his defensive abilities, shone in the World Cup and is an astute pick by van Gaal, although it came as something of a surprise to the Spanish media, whilst Luis Enrique, being the most high-profile veteran link was a shoo-in as captain.

A vote by the players added to van Gaal's own opinions ended up with the trio being picked and the coach admitted: "I believe that it was a good election.

"The players have voted and I have followed their criteria.

"They are the people who show great ambition on the field and defend the colours of Barcelona.

"Luis Enrique will be first captain.  Cocu will be like a representative for the foreigners in the squad.  And Puyol is an example for all the players of the youth team and represents what they must aspire to be."