With another defining European night on the horizon, as Atletico Madrid prepare to face Arsenal in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final, the spotlight has shifted to Antoine Griezmann, the forward bringing his Atletico career to a close at the end of the season.
It was in that context that Diego Simeone, sitting alongside Griezmann in a packed media room before Atletico Madrid's quarter-final against Barcelona, did something rarely seen in football.
Before a single question was asked, the Atletico coach chose to open the news conference with an emotional tribute to the forward, who is set to play his final matches for the Spanish club before joining Orlando City at the end of the season.
"I want to thank you for your hard work and your humility," the Argentine said, catching Griezmann visibly off guard.
"You are an admirable person in a society where young people need role models like you. Thank you for everything you have given us, everything you continue to give, and everything you still will."
If it had been solely up to the Major League Soccer side, Griezmann would already be in the United States.
Instead, the France international asked to remain in Madrid until the end of the season, allowing him the chance to say a proper farewell to the club where he has made 494 appearances and scored 212 goals.