11-year-old Moroccan crown-prince Moulay Hassan being pictured with both teams pre-kick off, and the inclusion in the build-up of San Lorenzo’s celebrity fans Pope Francis and Lord of the Rings star Viggo Mortensen, also leant a slightly surreal touch to the proceedings.

The underdogs tried to disrupt the party with an aggressive approach, which meant there were more yellow cards than shots at goal in the first 30 minutes. But once Ramos rose majestically to head in Toni Kroos’s typically well-flighted corner, there was never any doubt who would win.

The Spain international admitted afterwards he really should not even have been playing, due a thigh muscle tear picked up after scoring in Tuesday’s 4-0 semi-final win over Mexico’s Cruz Azul.

“I risked a lot to play,” Ramos told Telecinco. “I had a little tear, but fortunately it has not got any worse. It was worth it. It is a special day for the club’s fans.”

Madrid’s biggest star was less happy about his role in the global showpiece occasion. Cristiano Ronaldo makes more each year in commercial endorsements than San Lorenzo’s entire squad earns in total, but he struggled to make an impact on the game. Afterwards he appeared more annoyed than excited about receiving the ‘Silver Ball’ as the tournament’s second best player, and then snubbed a handshake with Michel Platini due to apparent annoyance at the Uefa president backing a German player for this year’s Ballon D’Or trophy.

Madrid’s other attacking galactico Gareth Bale made more of an impression, scoring the clinching second goal, although his weak effort should not really have got past San Lorenzo goalkeeper Sebastian Torrico. Bale’s 2014 now includes goals in the final of the Copa del Rey, Champions League and now Club World Cup final.

But Saturday night was mostly about Ramos, who while in Morocco this week has carefully denied stories he is currently looking for a big pay-rise and has clashed with club president Florentino Perez over the issue. The 28-year-old’s stock could not be much higher at the moment — given his contribution to the club’s long awaited ‘Decima’ European Cup, including two goals in the semi-final against Bayern Munich, and the 93rd minute equaliser in last May’s final against Atletico Madrid.

It could easily be argued that Ramos’ 2014 performances should have made him more of a candidate for this year’s Ballon D’Or, although Ronaldo’s preeminence at Madrid means the defender was forgotten about when the official campaigning was taking place in the autumn. The defender’s huge grin and magnanimous comments on Saturday night suggested he’s happy enough how things have turned out. “I am very happy,” he said. “I try and give my best and I have contributed with goals. This is for ‘madridismo’ and for my family.”

Ramos is often underestimated by Irish and British pundits due to his overenthusiastic approach, and tendency to pick up the occasional silly sending off. But he’s had a great year.