To get to the bottom of what Pep Guardiola loves about AC Milan-bound Kyle Walker, you need to go back to 10 June, 2023.
Guardiola had delivered the worst news Walker could imagine.
The full-back was riding high on the back of the performance of his career, going head-to-head in a duel for the ages with Vinicius Jr in the Champions League semi-final first leg with Real Madrid.
Time and again the dazzling Brazilian tried to take Walker on, only to be repelled.
Vinicius Jr even produced an audacious rainbow flick by the touchline, only to find his route to the ball - and the Manchester City goal - blocked off by the England international.