It was an image that didn't want for symbolism: as the rain cascaded from the Moscow skies, a phlegmatic Vladimir Putin was shielded with an umbrella while Emmanuel Macron, Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović and, most haplessly, Gianni Infantino were saturated either side.
While it was an incredible World Cup for everyone watching, it was most successful for Vladimir Putin. The Russian president had plenty of well-wishers after the tournament, Donald Trump among them.
Putin also bagged himself an endorsement from Irish strongman Conor McGregor. McGregor was one of the VIP bandwagoners at the final in Moscow, and as it transpires, he was invited as a personal guest of Putin.
After the game, McGregor paid tribute to Putin and called him "one of the greatest leaders of our time". The final line means "Russia, Forward!"
Today I was invited to the World Cup final as a guest of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
This man is one of the greatest leaders of our time and I was honored to attend such a landmark event alongside him.
Today was an honor for me Mr. Putin. Thank you and congratulations on an amazing World Cup.
Россия вперёд!
