His criticism of the war in Iraq hurt his warm relations with George Bush, and there has been much hand-wringing in both Moscow and Washington about how to restore them.
Having spent the last few weeks sidelined with a knee injury, the big number nine was an ominous presence for his former side on the Liverpool bench and sparked an entertaining vocal war of attrition between opposing fans every time he appeared on the touchline for a warm-up and during his late cameo.