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Despite Messi’s Absence, Barcelona Thrash Juventus To Win First Trophy

Barcelona's Danish forward Martin Braithwaite (2ndL) celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's second goal during the 56th Joan Gamper Trophy friendly football match between Barcelona and Juventus at the Johan Cruyff Stadium in Sant Joan Despi near Barcelona on August 8, 2021. (Photo by Pau BARRENA / AFP)

Despite Messi’s Absence, Barcelona Trash Juventus To Win First Trophy
Spanish professional football club Barcelona, on Sunday, August 8 beat toothless Juventus 3-0 to win Gampher Trophy.
This is the first trophy after many years that the Catalans lifted without former captain, Lionel Messi, Naija News reports.
We reported earlier that Messi on Sunday evening said goodbye to Barcelona in an emotional press conference, leaving Nou Camp after 21 years of his football career with the club.
Messi left Barcelona as a free agent after failing to agree fresh terms with the club.
The 34-year-old player’s exit was, however, put aside as his former teammates crushed Juve to win a trophy.
Memphis Depay opened the scoring after just three minutes. Martin Braithwaite made it 2-0 with a thumping header just before the hour mark from a corner.
Riqui Puig added a third in stoppage time with a curling left-foot drive.
Barcelona will host Real Sociedad on Sunday in their opening fixture with the new LaLiga season kickstarting on Friday