As Manchester City’s players posed for pictures, Pep Guardiola briefly stood alone. Hands on hips, a third Champions League medal around his neck, the Catalan seemed dazed by what had happened.
What must have been going through his mind after the exorcising of more than a decade of demons? Perhaps it was a pointed decision for this moment to be about the players but it was still hard not to be drawn towards the man in a black suit who has reshaped the sport - albeit with the help of unlimited resources - as he stood there, mildly detached from the wild celebrations.
There is an increasing tendency, influenced by American sports, for the owners to take centre stage during these celebrations.
