Manchester United fullback Patrice Evra has paid tribute to the club's three veterans.
Had it not been for Gary Neville's late introduction as a replacement for Rafael in Yokohama on Sunday, United would have lifted a major trophy without a contribution from the class of '92 for the first time since Neville, Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes made their entrance well over a decade ago.
It was a signal that time is catching up with the trio and United intend to be a major force when they are no longer around.
But that does not mean their influence is not strong. As Evra outlined, United's three elder statesmen continue to set the standards their team-mates should be judged by.
"Ryan, Paul and Gary didn't really play in the final but I still say 'thank you' to them because they give everybody else the desire and hunger to keep winning," said the France full-back.
"People talk about the star players we have at United like Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo but I will never forget watching Ryan, Paul and Gary train on the day I arrived.
"Those three guys have it all but they were working so hard it looked like they had never won anything in their lives. It was incredible.
"It doesn't matter whether you are a young player or a big signing, when you come here you need to learn about the hunger of those men."