Walking alone with slumped shoulders, a bowed head and weary eyes, Xavi exited Arena Fonte Nova wearing the look of a man who knew exactly how profound last Friday's 5-1 defeat by Netherlands could prove.
None of the assembled journalists even attempted to pose a question, there was no point. He was staring at the floor, seemingly oblivious to outside influences.
Others stopped to talk but not Xavi, nor Andres Iniesta. Two of the greatest midfielders the game has ever seen now down and despondent, humbled and humiliated, fatigued and forlorn.
For Spain's defeat by the Dutch was not normal. La Roja lost their opening match four years ago before recovering to become the first side to win a FIFA World Cup.
Switzerland in 2010 scored a goal and closed ranks, it can happen. Netherlands in 2014 subjected one of the finest teams of all time to an absolute savaging, that does not happen.
Spain have suffered two heavier defeats in their competitive history, but the most recent came in 1950, and neither are likely to have been as unexpected or potentially damaging as the one the World Cup favourites experienced in Salvador against the Netherlands.
They did not trail at any stage of an unbeaten qualifying campaign in which their defence was breached on just three occasions, had lost only eight of 85 matches under coach Vicente del Bosque, averaged 60 caps per man and have not conceded in 10 knockout matches spanning the last three major tournaments, all of which they lifted.
Spain Coach Del Bosque had at a news conference last Thursday bullishly rejected a suggestion that his is a "veteran squad", arguing: "We are mature, at our best". He appeared irritated at the subject being raised, perhaps aware deep down that there is actually an element of truth in it.
His post-match verdict told a rather different story. "I feel sick," said the 63-year-old and if Spain are indeed at their best then, on current evidence, they are also in trouble.
Del Bosque described Netherlands' physical approach in the 2010 final as "brutal", but the only brutality on show in Salvador, Brazil was a Dutch display that tore Spain to shreds.
Troubled against Italy in last year's Confederations Cup semi-final and dispatched by hosts Brazil in the final, there were indications that the Spanish might be losing their way.
Xavi claimed before the match that Spain would "win or die" by their famous tiki-taka style of play and although last Friday indicated the latter was more plausible, it is surely unfair to pass judgement over an approach that has generated such success on the basis of one match.
From chatting to a number of Spanish journalists, the overwhelming feeling is that the philosophy is tried and trusted, has become a part of the national identity and is here to stay.
What is clear, however, is that Del Bosque's existing crop are possibly losing the ability and hunger to execute their methods to the level that has brought them many accolades and admirers over the past six years.
Seven of the 14 players who featured against Netherlands endured a disappointing season with Barcelona, while there was just one representative from La Liga champions Atletico Madrid.
Moreover, none of Real Madrid's key attacking players are Spanish, and seven of the squad are aged 30 or over. Could this be the beginning of the end for the protagonists, if not the project?
So long the standard bearer for club and country but now the oldest at 34, Xavi was uncharacteristically lax in possession and a rare miscontrol led to the second Dutch goal.
Spain enjoyed 63.8 per cent of the ball and made 618 passes to Netherlands' 339, yet managed only four shots on target to 10 for their opponents and lost 124 balls to 114.
