Looming on June 14 is the Club World Cup’s opener, between Al Ahly of Egypt, and Inter Miami of the United States, Africa versus North America. By little coincidence, the latter team feature Lionel Messi, who celebrates his 38th birthday during Fifa’s new month-long showpiece.

In the heart of downtown Los Angeles – halfway between the historic Hollywood hills and hip-hop hometowns of Compton and Inglewood – ‘getting the bag’ has increasingly become a marker of international stardom and success.