• A graduate of Barcelona's famed youth academy, he became the undisputed No1 under Frank Rijkaard in 2003/04 and played a major part in the Azulgrana's back-to-back title wins over the next two seasons; started 12 games in the Catalan side's 2005/06 UEFA Champions League triumph, excelling in the Paris final against Arsenal FC.

• One of the mainstays of Barça's annus mirabilis in 2009, winning the Liga, Copa del Rey (reserve goalkeeper José Pinto featured throughout the cup campaign), UEFA Champions League, Spanish Super Cup, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup.

• Received the prestigious Zamora trophy − awarded to the goalkeeper who concedes the fewest goals per game in the Liga each season − for the fifth time for his exploits in 2011/12.

• Having been overlooked by a series of Spain coaches, he finally won his first cap on 3 June 2010 in a pre-FIFA World Cup friendly against Korea Republic and was an unused member of the squad which became world champions in South Africa.

• Conceded nine goals in 11 matches during the Blaugrana's victorious 2010/11 UEFA Champions League campaign; passed the 450 game mark for Barça the following season to move fourth on the all-time appearance list as the club finished the campaign with only the Copa Del Rey.

• Made his first competitive appearance for Spain in their final UEFA EURO 2012 qualifier, a 3-1 home victory against Scotland, but was an unused member of the squad that won UEFA EURO 2012.

UEFA honours
UEFA European Championship: winner 2012
UEFA Champions League: winner 2006, 2009, 2011
UEFA Super Cup: winner 2009, 2011