Copa Pauino Alcantara
The Copa Pauino Alcantara is an annual pre-season trophy contested between Catalan giants FC Barcelona and RCD Espanyol. Named after the legendary Filipino footballer Paulino Alcantara, who shone for Barca in the early 20th century, this cup offers teams a chance to fine-tune squads ahead of the new campaign, delivering thrilling encounters for fans.
History and foundation
Born in 1896 in the Philippines, Paulino Alcantara moved to Barcelona and became a club icon, scoring 395 goals in 399 games between 1912 and 1927—one of the highest strike rates ever. Established in 1987, the cup has seen Barcelona triumph in 26 of 34 editions up to 2023. Notable moments include Espanyol's shock 1-0 win in 2017 and the 2021 cancellation due to COVID-19.
Tournament format
The format is straightforward: a single 90-minute match, with penalties if tied. Often hosted at Camp Nou or Espanyol's RCDE Stadium, it draws up to 80,000 spectators. This unofficial Barcelona derby fuels intense rivalry.
Interesting facts
Average goals per match hover at 3.2, with Barca's blowouts common. Lionel Messi leads scorers with 7 goals. Stars like Ronaldinho, Neymar, Suarez for Barca, and Javier Aguirre, Moises Villanuova for Espanyol have shone. Recent highlights feature Pedri and Lewandowski, plus emerging talents like Gavi and Lamine Yamal.