That went against usual football diplomacy, where players talk of only focusing on the next game, but that’s perhaps part of the charm. It’s also part of the strange dynamics of these occasions, that at once enrich football but can also make it so emotionally wrenching.

Shearer played in two FA Cup finals for Newcastle in 1998 and 1999, losing 2-0 on each occasion at Wembley Stadium to Arsenal and Manchester United respectively. The Carabao Cup final in 2023 was Newcastle’s first major final since 1999 as they came up against Manchester United.

Newcastle United step out at Wembley for the Carabao Cup final on Sunday, bidding to end a domestic trophy drought which extends to 70 years.