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The word man-management is often used with respect to managers in football because understandably, that is a fundamental aspect of their job. Keeping players happy, disciplined and hungry whilst evading any signs of bias and unrest in a squad creates a conducive environment for success.
However, there is only so much a manager can do from the touchline in a stadium echoing with fans, expressing their angst and disappointment on some occasions and exhilaration on others. That is exactly when the captain needs to step up. The man entrusted with the armband has to maintain sanity of the team at all times.
When things are going in the team's favor, the captain has to ensure his players do not let their feet off the throttle and allow a chance for the opposition to bounce back. In a situation where the plan comes crumbling down, he has to ensure the players do not let their emotions get the better of them in heated moments.
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Right now, there are some players in this game who have been the decisive link between the team and the gaffer. Years from now, for the many qualities they will be remembered for, being a great leader and able captain will be a part of it. Here are five such current players who have been exemplary captains.
#5 Manuel Neuer
Manuel Neuer has been an ever-present figure between the sticks for both Bayern Munich and Germany. He has made 457 appearances for the German giants and 108 for his country. Widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers of our time, Neuer has been wearing the armband with great pride in what is his fourth season.
The German goalkeeper had proven his leadership traits at his boyhood club Schalke before making the move to Bayern. At the age of 25, he captained Schalke to their first Champions League semi-final appearance in 2011. In the same season, he also led his team to the DFB Pokal triumph, their first since 2002.
At Bayern, he had to wait for his turn to be entrusted with the armband which happened after Philipp Lahm's retirement in 2017. But due to a metatarsal fracture, Neuer never really got the game time to assert his presence as captain. It was only from the 2018 season that Neuer featured regularly as captain.
Since slipping on the armband on his sleeve, he has won three Bundesliga titles, a Champions League, the UEFA Super Cup and two DFB-Pokal trophies. At Euro 2020, Neuer wore a rainbow colored captain armband to extend support to the LGBTQ+ community during Pride Month.
#4 Jordan Henderson
Agree to disagree if you have to, but the truth is Steven Gerrard has spoiled Liverpool fans during his tenure as Reds captain. He was astute, charismatic, lively and commanding. It was nearly impossible for the Liverpool faithful to believe they could have an equal figure in the squad.
Amidst the uncertainty and mood swings, Jordan Henderson was declared captain of the Reds in 2015. He had been vice-captain on a few occasions as Gerrard was in his twilight and a successor had to be prepared. But Liverpool's fanbase wasn't the most accepting when it came to Henderson.
After all, this was a man they once thought of as a reminder of the club's turbulent times, a man regularly criticized for his 'sideways passing'. However, the England international paid little head to the critics and with his head held high, did everything in the right spirit for the club.
Today, there are hardly any who don't love Henderson for the man he is on-field. A vocal character who has never minced his words and taken a stand for his team at every possible opportunity. He has always put his team and the gaffer first and his giving nature has helped keep the bunch in good spirits and on the right trajectory.
Hendo will go down in history as the man who finally lifted that Premier League trophy for the Reds and even led them to Champions League glory. The 31-year old has made 413 appearances so far for Liverpool and is stepping up again this season.
#3 Giorgio Chiellini
A man whose passion for the game is unmatched. The adrenaline rush he gets from defending just helps him enjoy the game so much that even the armband does not exert enough pressure. Giorgio Chiellini has been an excellent servant to Serie A giants Juventus and deserves to captain the club he loves.
The Italian has also been his country's captain for three years now. A captain like him ensures that the team competes at the highest level and gives its best when the odds are stacked up against them. His body language has always been positive and he has always faced the toughest of challenges with a smile.
The veteran centre-back was declared permanent captain only in 2018 for both club and country after the retirement of Gianluigi Buffon. But before that as well, Chiellini led Juventus in important clashes. He captained the team to the 2014 Coppa Italia final win against Lazio and even got on the scoresheet.
In 2016, he again wore the captain's armband in the Coppa Italia Final against Milan as the team came out victorious. In doing so, he helped Juventus become the first Italian club ever to win consecutive domestic doubles.
His most recent exploits as Italian captain will be remembered for the longest time. The composed and joyous nature of Chiellini helped Italy lift the Euro 2020 trophy in enemy territory at Wembley, England.
#2 Sergio Ramos
A natural leader who will wage war on the field and play dirty if that's the need of the hour, Sergio Ramos is one of the best captains in modern football. Currently at PSG, the Spaniard isn't fit to feature regularly and is not the proud bearer of the captain's armband but he will always be Real Madrid's 'captain fantastic'.
In 2012, Ramos showcased that he was fit to take over from Iker Casillas as the long-term captain of Los Blancos. He guided Real to back-to-back victories against Barcelona and the Madrid fanbase were relieved that the born leader was among their ranks.
Under the colossal defender's captaincy, Real Madrid registered a 10-2 win in La Liga 2015 against Rayo Vallecano, their biggest win in 55 years. As captain, he lifted his first Champions League trophy in 2016 and was also named man of the match in the final against Atletico Madrid. Ramos is also the only captain to lead a club to back-to-back European Cups since the UEFA Champions League began.
The centre-back scored an incredible 101 goals for Real Madrid in his 16 seasons with the club. He is known for being vocal, aggressive, extremely involved in action, even from the sidelines and stands at times. Los Blancos couldn't have asked for a better captain.
#1 Gianluigi Buffon
Wait a minute? You thought the mighty Gianluigi Buffon had retired from the sport? Absolutely rubbish. He adores the game that has given him so much and the emotional goalkeeper plays for his boyhood club and Serie B side Parma these days. Of course he wears the captain's armband, duh!
After Alessandro Del Piero's departure, the Italian was given the opportunity to lead the Old Lady in 2012. In his very first season as captain, he lifted the Serie A trophy. The following year, Juventus retained the title, and Buffon conceded just 19 goals in 38 games in the Italian top-flight.
However, he left his biggest footprint in European football by guiding Italy to an almost improbable and unexpected 2006 World Cup victory. Despite the aging group, Buffon led them to a victory no one saw coming. In his senior club career, the mighty Italian has made 947 appearances so far.
Spanish legend Iker Casillas said about his Italian counterpart:
"He is a benchmark for me, and for every keeper of my generation. When I started playing, I had a dream, I dreamed of becoming like him."
The Italian legend was unlucky not to win the Champions League despite reaching three Champions League finals.
