Barcelona's midfielder Ilkay Gundogan has been given the captain's armband as Manuel Neuer's replacement as Germany's new captain

• Ilkay Gundogan is the newest captain of Germany.

• The Barcelona midfielder will take charge of the team on the pitch ahead of their international games. 

• Germany set to face France and Japan in coming days and Gundogan will wear the skipper's armbands 

Ilkay Gundogan, a midfielder for Barcelona, has been selected the new captain of Germany ahead of friendlies against France and Japan.

Gundogan replaces the injured Manuel Neuer in goal and thinks it's an honor to hold the position at the international level.

Prior to the two games, manager Hansi Flick discussed his choice to switch the captain at a news conference.

“We have a change. We thought about it: What would help the team,” he told reporters.

“With the national team it’s usually like this: whoever has the most international matches is also the captain. I decided to give Ilkay the captain’s armband. Together with Joshua Kimmich, this now makes up our leadership duo.

“I’m really happy that both of them have committed to it. This gives us new energy that we can put to good use.”

Obviously, Flick was then questioned about what would occur if Neuer returned, but he said that the goalkeeper must first get back to full fitness before worrying about the situation.