There are certain things that light up Thomas Vermaelen's face as he talks about football and family in Barcelona ahead of his return to London in the Champions League next week.
One is the video of his two young sons Raff and Ace jumping up and down in front of a television screen on seeing their dad in the starting line-up to face Real Madrid in the Clasico last December.
Another is looking back on a career that has seen him play for Ajax, Arsenal and Barcelona — 'three very beautiful clubs' according to the elegant defender.