Almost exactly a year ago Robin van Persie accepted the Footballer of the Year award and declared, with a mournful look in his eye, he would “always be a Gunner” before promptly signing for Manchester United.

Thierry Henry chose a blazing red Che Guevara T-shirt and a black-and-white wristband for his appearance at FIFA’s world player of the year awards gala to make a point about racism in football.