The 30-year-old has been touted as Carles Puyol's successor following the departure of Victor Valdes and the prospect of Xavi not being as prominent

Andres Iniesta has says being appointed as Barcelona's new captain would be "a dream".

The Catalan side have seen club captain Carles Puyol retire, goalkeeper Victor Valdes leave the club this summer and Xavi - at 34 years of age - is hardly a long-term option to take the skipper's armband for the long term.

Iniesta, 30, is now one of the senior squad members at Camp Nou and such a status makes him an ideal candidate for the captaincy, which he overwhelmingly endorses despite the pressure it would bring.

"Being captain of the first team has always been in your dreams," the Spain international told Mundo Deportivo.

"It's a step because it means you're still in the first team and keep improving. You have the respect of your peers, but also the other part, which is that you get older.

"It has its positive and negative parts."

The former Ballon d'Or nominee also shared some kind words for his departing colleagues Puyol and Valdes, as well as Xavi, whom he has played alongside in the middle of the park for the majority of his career so far.

"The truth is I am very happy to have been in this group with Xavi and Puyol as well as Victor Valdes," he added.

"Experiences that you live together, not just football but at personal level, make you a better person and better player."