Aaron Ramsey didn't actually take part in the Europa League final for 117 minutes.
Only when the game between Eintracht Frankfurt and Glasgow Rangers was headed for penalties did coach Giovanni van Bronckhorst bring him on.
The order was clear: As an internationally experienced player, Ramsey was to take one of the shots that, as a last resort, decide between victory and defeat.
A responsibility that less nerve-racking players avoid.
The first six shooters scored.
Then Ramsey put the ball on the penalty spot, took a few steps backwards, took a deep breath, ran, shot flat in the middle – and Eintracht goalkeeper Kevin Trapp fended off his shot with his shin.
It was that miss that ultimately robbed Rangers of their triumph.
"Ramsey condemns the Rangers," wrote the Italian newspaper La Repubblica.
As the evening progressed, Ramsey tried to hide his face.
Ramsey of all people.
He has been on loan to Rangers from his club Juventus Turin since January because he was no longer needed with the Italians.
He has also played little role in Scotland since, although he was hailed as a king's signing upon his arrival.
He has won the FA Cup three times with Arsenal, where he spent most of his career – scoring the decisive goal in the final in 2014 and 2017.
Ramsey has won more than 70 caps for the Wales national team;
Goals and assists helped Wales to reach the semi-finals at Euro 2016.
Because of his playing strength, his fans call him "Welsh Wizard".
But injuries have weighed heavily on his career.
Critics say he was never able to reach his full potential.
Aaron Ramsey will be 32 in December.
How and where his career will continue is unclear.