Marcos Llorente and Pablo Barrios have been named as the new captains of Atletico Madrid for the 2026/27 season. The club has reshuffled its leadership group following the summer departures of Antoine Griezmann and José María Giménez, as reported by Marca.
Koke remains the club captain and Jan Oblak continues as vice-captain. The third and fourth captaincy roles now fall to Llorente, who joined in 2019, and Barrios, a homegrown talent. This week, the squad prepares for its next LaLiga match, which you can find on our fixtures page.
Who are the new captains?
Marcos Llorente arrived at Atletico Madrid in the summer of 2019 from rivals Real Madrid. The 31-year-old midfielder has worn the armband on a few previous occasions and is a well-respected figure in the dressing room. His versatility across multiple positions has made him a key player for manager Diego Simeone. In the current squad, Llorente is one of the longest-serving players.
Pablo Barrios represents the future. The midfielder from Moratalaz made his first-team debut in October 2022 and, at just 23 years old, receives a major show of faith from the club. Despite a previous season hampered by injuries, his talent and commitment have made him essential. The club believes this new responsibility will further accelerate his development.
Why was a reshuffle necessary?
Atletico's captaincy structure was disrupted by two historic departures. Antoine Griezmann announced his exit before the end of last season to fulfil his dream of playing in MLS, where he now plays for Orlando City. A few months later, on the final day of the summer transfer window, José María Giménez also left. The Uruguayan defender, known as 'El Comandante', signed for Deportivo de La Coruña after seeing his playing time prospects diminish.
These exits left the third and fourth captain positions vacant, roles held by Giménez and Griezmann respectively. The club's internal policy dictates that seniority is the primary criterion for succession, a system that now benefits Llorente and Barrios.
What does this mean for the squad?
Barrios's promotion is a clear signal of Atletico's commitment to its youth system. Other youngsters like defender Alejandro Pubill, whose emergence was a factor in Giménez's departure, are also gaining prominence. The team is seeking a balance between experience and youth as it competes on three fronts: LaLiga, the Copa del Rey, and the Champions League group stage.
The new hierarchy arrives during a period of transition. The team currently holds a position in the upper half of the LaLiga standings, fighting for a Champions League spot. The continuity of Koke and Oblak in the top roles provides stability while the new captains grow into theirs. Pablo Barrios, now recovered from his physical problems, aims to contribute his quality in midfield throughout the campaign.
The next test for the captains comes in the league match on the weekend of September 13, 2026, away at Real Betis's Benito Villamarín stadium.
