But Auckland City coach Ramon Tribulietx has one up on all his counterparts in Oceania by being able to call on the services of Andreu Guerao Mayoral and Manel Exposito, a pair of players with pedigrees rivalled by few in the region.
The Spanish duo have both pulled on the famous shirt of Barcelona and, while neither made a competitive appearance for the Catalan giants, each moved on to play for other clubs in Spain, the home of the world champions.
Exposito joined City mid-way through last season’s title-winning O-League campaign and has now been joined by the man known simply as ‘Andreu’. The friends first forged a bond during their time at Barcelona and it was this connection that resulted in Andreu’s move down under.
“I played with Manel in the second team at Barca and, after he came to Auckland, we talked about the possibility of me coming too,” the 28-year-old says.
“Then Ramon called me and explained the situation of the club. He said they would be playing in the FIFA Club World Cup in Japan so it was an easy decision to make.”
Andreu is the latest in a string of Spanish signings at City and links up with countrymen Exposito, Angel Berlanga and Albert Riera.
His arrival in the City of Sails would be regarded by many as a step down as he has played professionally for the entirety of his career and his new team are a largely amateur outfit.
Yet, despite having competed in La Liga for Sporting Gijon and in the Polish premier league with Polonia Warsaw, the holding midfielder is delighted to now find himself in this part of the world, a country more reknowned for its love of the oval-ball code.
“I know something about rugby because my cousin played for Barcelona and I also played in school,” the 67kg Andreu says. “New Zealand is passionate about rugby and the World Cup was amazing but if you look at my physique you can see it is not built for that sport.”
Andreu instead showed a natural talent for the world game and that raw ability was honed to its current level by a 12-year stint in the Barcelona system.
“It was amazing,” the Catalonian recalls of his time with his famous hometown club. “I joined Barcelona when I was nine and left when I was 21 and was playing with Manel in the second team. You always play good football and learn so much every day.”
He made only one appearance for the first team – a friendly against Olympique de Marseille in 2004 – but vividly remembers being on the other end of a classic Barca performance.
“When I was in La Liga we played one match against Barcelona and they beat us 6-1 at home,” he says.
“It’s just a whole other level, those players have incredible technique and amazing control. The salaries they earn are fair enough because they are the best in the world.”
He will face more of the world’s best with his Auckland team mates next month when the squad travels to Japan for the FIFA Club World Cup. City will face the J-League champions – who look likely to be one of Gamba Osaka, Kashiwa Reysol or Nagoya Grampus – in their opening match and must win to keep their involvement in the tournament alive.
Andreu realises how tricky that could prove but believes his new side is capable of springing an upset.
“We are not professional but have a very good team and are working like a professional club. I know it will hard because the champions of Japan will be very good but we are working to match them face-to-face. We know it will be much more difficult than our own league but why can’t we do well? I think we can do it.”

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