They were team-mates when France conquered the world 20 years ago but, ahead of meeting Thierry Henry tomorrow for a place in the World Cup final, Didier Deschamps was blunt in describing his old friend’s current status.

“When you go to a club abroad and play against one from your own country, you are part of the enemy,” said the France manager. “This time, in an international match, it is much higher. He is facing his home nation. From the time he became an assistant to Roberto Martinez [Belgium manager], he did know that can happen. It is a difficult situation – bizarre – it is not easy for him.”

Kevin De Bruyne even admitted that the Belgium team “would find it normal” ahead of the biggest game in the country’s history, to hear their coach singing La Marseillaise in St Petersburg.

Uncharacteristically, it is a situation that Henry has dealt with by keeping a low profile. He has given only one interview about Belgium since joining their staff in 2016, in which he stressed his place as third among Martinez’s staff. He has not talked with journalists after any of Belgium’s five wins in Russia.

The message is very clear: this is about Martinez and the players, not him. Except, of course, we are still talking about how one of France’s greatest players is now planning their demise. It is, after all, like David Beckham sitting on the Croatia bench alongside Zlatko Dalic in Moscow on Tuesday night.