Bernardo Silva has been appointed Manchester City captain this season after rejecting a number of offers to bring an end to eight years at the club.
In a marked change in policy, Pep Guardiola stepped in to choose his own leadership group ahead of the Club World Cup starting against Wydad AC.
City’s players and staff usually take a vote but Guardiola has overruled to give the armband to Silva in what appears likely to be his final season at the Etihad Stadium.
Silva – who has fielded interest from Saudi Arabia, while Benfica would love to welcome their academy product back - is out of contract next summer.