“In Cape Verde, we love welcoming people. We can cook outside our homes and eat together in the street. Now I can’t always do that anymore,” he said.

“Who would have imagined that the little child in the picture would go on to be somebody who, if the early promise is fulfilled, could well follow in the Argentinian’s footsteps,” the club said.

“When you see that, you get inspired. You definitely get inspired to take care of your body, to keep doing the right thing for your team.”

The appointment also places the 46-year-old among an exclusive group, as he becomes only the 23rd referee in history to oversee a FIFA World Cup final.

The bad news for President Tinubu is that while other nations are harvesting the goodwill, unity and good vibes from the World Cup, Nigerians continue to grumble in anger, tearing at each other because the singular, most unifying thing that brings Nigerians of all creed together (football) is not getting the necessary attention