Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted Ryan Giggs is 'treated like God' in the Manchester United dressing room.
Giggs was confirmed as BBC Wales Sports Personality of the Year last night in recognition of his outstanding service in a career at the top now lasting nearly two decades.
Although he is now retired from international duty with Wales, he is arguably the principalities finest player and certain the most decorated.
And, according to Ferguson, his continued brilliance for the Red Devils means he has assumed a status amongst his peers that goes beyond that afforded to mere mortals.
"He is treated like God in the dressing room," the United boss told BBC Wales.
"I will always remember the presentation the players made to him after the Champions League final in Moscow last year.
"Afterwards they started to sing the Ryan Giggs song. It was absolutely genuine. You could see the warmth he generates.
"He is an example and leader in the dressing room and an advisor to young players. It is always refreshing they go to him rather than rely on an agent."
Certainly Ferguson will never have any cause to regret the effort he put in to get Giggs to sign schoolboy forms with United rather than join Manchester City, as initially appeared the case.
And, as it looks increasingly likely they will both retire at the same time, the Red Devils chief counts himself as exceptionally fortunate.
"I thank my lucky stars that I have been able to experience and enjoy watching his performances for 20 years," reflected Ferguson.
"No manager will have that again."
In fact, Ferguson is deriving even more pleasure from Giggs now, because, arguably, he is performing to a consistent level higher than he has ever done.
"His best years have been the latter ones," said Ferguson.
"Since we have combated the injury problem with his back his performances have been quite staggering.
"In the last minute of Saturday's game at West Ham he went on an overlapping run from the left-back position.
"It was fully 60 yards - and he is 36. I couldn't do that on a bike."