Kevin Punter has one clear objective for his third season with Barcelona: win trophies. The newly appointed captain enters the campaign after the club made major changes to its roster, with as many as 11 new players arriving during the offseason.
Speaking to SPORT during Barcelona’s preseason camp in Encamp, Kevin Punter explained that he did not spend much time thinking about the club’s extensive roster changes because they were outside his control.
“I knew that a lot of players had contracts expiring, but I didn’t really think about it too much because I simply didn’t know what was going to happen. I don’t put that much energy into things that I can’t control and that I don’t know anything about. So we’ll see what happens.”
Punter also spoke with new head coach Aleksander Sekulic during the summer after his appointment became official, with the coach explaining his new philosophy and style of play.
“Yeah, I spoke with the coach during the summer when his hiring became official. He explained the style of play, the new philosophy. It was a positive conversation and that was it.”
Barcelona have announced their captains for next season, with Kevin Punter serving as the primary captain alongside Joel Parra and Dario Brizuela.
— Basketball Sphere (@BSphere_) September 5, 2026
This will be Punter’s second time as captain, having previously held the role at Partizan 🫡 #kkp pic.twitter.com/XFm1M4d0QM
Kevin Punter wants to celebrate trophies with Barcelona
Punter is entering his third season with Barcelona and made no secret of how much he wants to add silverware to his time at the club.
“Words can’t describe how happy I am to stay here or how much I want to celebrate trophies with Barcelona. The only thing I want is to go out on the court, try to give my best and do everything I can so that we can achieve that. I don’t even like talking about it too much. We know what we have to do and that’s it.”
The Barcelona captain is equally confident that the rebuilt roster can compete for trophies.
“A successful season? One hundred percent! Fighting for trophies? Of course! You need a plan to achieve those things, and I think we have one. If a team wants to be successful, the right mentality is key, as is always keeping that hunger for success.”
That belief comes despite Barcelona undergoing one of the biggest roster overhauls in recent years.
“The last few days with the guys have been good. It’s been really good. We have a good group of guys who are hungry for success, and that’s what I would highlight the most. Besides that, it makes me extremely happy.”
Punter sets Barcelona’s EuroLeague and Liga Endesa targets
Punter has already outlined a clear roadmap for Barcelona’s season, with the team targeting success across all competitions.
“Soon we have the Super Cup, which will be an opportunity to win a trophy. The next goal will be to make the EuroLeague playoffs, and when we get there, win a series so that we can reach the Final Four. Then we’ll have an opportunity to win it. It will also be extremely important to finish among the top teams in the Liga Endesa and be in the best possible position for a good draw in the Copa del Rey. And then win the Liga Endesa.”
Kevin Punter knows that Barcelona cannot afford to look too far ahead, especially with a long season ahead of them.
“The season is so long that you can’t look too far ahead. You simply have to focus on every moment and take it step by step. Of course you want trophies, but for that you have to take the necessary steps. We have to focus on getting better every day. That’s how we’ll reach the end goal.”
Kevin Punter embraces Barcelona captaincy
Punter will have an even greater leadership role after being named Barcelona’s first captain under the new coaching staff.
Alongside Dario Brizuela, Joel Parra and Juan Nunez, he is one of the players who remains from last season’s roster.
“We have to lead by example and understand what it takes to win, but also use our voice. We have to help these new guys both on and off the court, to offer them everything they might need. That’s it. The four of us have to be important in that way. We have to constantly support them because many of them are playing in Europe for the first time.”
Punter has already experienced the responsibility of being a captain at Partizan, but he does not intend to change his personality because of his new role.
“It’s an honor and I’ll carry that role well. I’ve always had a lot of respect for the captain’s role and I understand what it means. Being captain of Partizan was incredible, and here in Barcelona people are a little different, it’s a different culture. I don’t want to overthink it or try to do something more because that’s not my personality.
I’ll simply continue to be who I am and lead the team. I still have to show the new guys that I can be a leader, whether physically, verbally or in any other way. I have Parra, Brizuela and Nunez alongside me. That’s the job of the whole team, without a doubt.”
