Messi was handed a three-month ban from international football following those comments. While decisions probably went against Argentina that day, home teams getting favourable calls from referees is nothing new. So to bleat about corruption? In a competition that has been put on practically every summer so he can finally add it to his trophy cabinet? There have been three Copa Americas since 2015. In that period, there has been one European Championships (won by Ronaldo). There has been one Nations League (won by Ronaldo).

The Ballon d’Or had to go to an individual who excelled for both club and country – Van Dijk did that, Messi only partly. The award had to go an individual who showcased fair play – Van Dijk did that, Messi cracked. Even after considering the third criteria, an overall career judgement, Van Dijk should have seen off the Barcelona forward.

Jurgen Klopp called it correctly. France Football’s panel didn’t listen. Virgil van Dijk was robbed.