By DPA
Madrid : Barcelona thrashed Italian champions Inter Milan 5-0 to win the annual Hans Gamper football trophy.
The showcase match Wednesday night was preceded by a minute’s silence for Antonio Puerta, the Sevilla defender who died Tuesday after suffering several heart attacks in quick succession.
The star of the show was not big-name signing Thierry Henry – making his Nou Camp debut – but Mexican-born teenager Giovani Dos Santos, who had earlier Wednesday been granted Spanish nationality.
Dos Santos celebrated his citizenship – which will allow him to join the Barca first-team squad immediately – by tearing apart the Inter defence in the opening minutes.
In the sixth minute Giovani was pulled down by Christian Chivu for a penalty, which was duly converted by Ronaldinho. Just five minutes later Giovani broke free down the right and made it 2-0 with a classy left-foot drive.
Barca were rediscovering their 2006 form, and Toure Yaya continued the fiesta by scoring with a powerful long-range drive in the 37th minute.
The only bad news for the Barca faithful was Samuel Eto’o limping off with an injured hip.
Substitute Andres Iniesta made it 4-0 in the 55th minute after being put through by Lionel Messi. Thiago Motta – unwanted by Barca coach Frank Rijkaard and about to leave – said goodbye by heading in the fifth goal.
Inter – feeble in defence and turgid in attack – never looked capable of spoiling the Barca party.
Now Barca’s task will be to take this sparkling form into the Spanish league, where they have made a dull start.