Spain’s summer tournaments, the star talent pool | OneFootball

For decades Spanish summers meant invitational trophies that brought elite clubs and icons to home soil. Teresa Herrera, Carranza and Colombino were the showpieces, and lifting them was celebrated almost like an official title.

As reported by as.com, their history is studded with greats, from Pelé and Garrincha to Cruyff. The Teresa Herrera, the Decano Mundial de los Trofeos, staged Santos v Botafogo in 1959, Didi then joined Real Madrid. Riazor has hosted 82 world champions.

The 1974 Teresa Herrera was unique, the only time Pelé and Cruyff shared a pitch. Barcelona beat Santos 4-1 and Pelé scored. Palmeiras were scouted against Espanyol, then returned to Cádiz in 1975 to beat Real Madrid 3-1, after which Atlético signed Luiz Pereira and Leivinha. Sevilla also took Dudu.

From there the Carranza became a prime talent pool. Many South American clubs still list it in their honours. Atlético moved for Dirceu after 1977, Valencia targeted Bossio in 1983, and Donato joined Atlético in 1987.

In 1992 Romário shone for PSV at the Carranza and joined Barcelona a year later, with Popescu later following from the same side. Real Madrid signed Vitor after seeing him with Sao Paulo in 1992. Valencia secured Mazinho in 1993 and Marcelino Carioca soon after.

By the 1990s the glamour waned. Overseas pre-seasons, lucrative summer tours, wall to wall television, the International Champions Cup and the Club World Cup redirected attention and money, and Spain’s historic summer trophies declined.

Source: as.com