As the celebrations spilled on to the pitch of the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium late into the Arabian night, all the old faces were emerging.
Petr Cech, now club technical adviser, was there, as was Didier Drogba, both heroes of Munich 2012. John Terry wasn't in full kit as in Munich but was celebrating with gusto nonetheless while, at the centre of it all, was Roman Abramovich.
Another task could be ticked off the 'to-do' list since his 2003 takeover: all the trophies that he could have won have now been won by his team. Thomas Tuchel embraced the owner and dedicated the trophy to him.