The traditional Joan Gamper trophy tends to take place ahead of the new La Liga season, a curtain raiser for the Barcelona fans to see their side before they get into the throes of competition. It

The millennium closed out with Jari Litmanen as the shirt’s beholder after Giovanni had become the longest incumbent since Archibald. The mightily talented Litmanen struggled to settle in Barcelona, however, and the shirt was passed over to Rivaldo, who most certainly did it justice.

There is a stylistic synergy between club and the national team. Both sides emphasise possession-based football, positional play, and quick passing — hallmarks of the famed “tiki-taka” approach that Barcelona helped define over the past two decades.

While all the limelight has been on Marc-Andre ter Stegen this summer, he isn’t the only goalkeeper expected to leave Barcelona this summer.The club are also looking to offload Inaki Pena, who was