Fernando Llorente's ambivalent 2012 continued after he was banished from training by Athletic Club Bilbao boss Marcelo Bielsa on Monday.
Llorente, who has refused to sign a new contract with less than a year now remaining on his current deal, is destined to leave the Basque club next year although the latest flashpoint could herald a January departure.
Whereas in England photographers capturing a Manchester City training ground bust-up is considered treasure, in Bilbao Llorente's walk-out was captured on film.
Already forced to train with the club's reserve and youth players, Llorente walked out of Monday morning’s training session following another heated debate with 'loco' coach Bielsa.
Basque TV station EITB reported the Argentine halted the session to criticise what he had witnessed from his players - Athletic lost their weekend game 2-0 at Real Sociedad and lie 18th in the Primera Liga table.
Llorente then exchanged views with his manager before he walked off the pitch prior to leaving the training ground.
A flexible, old-fashioned striker who has been taking English lessons, Llorente's year has regressed despite an auspicious start.
The 27-year-old scored in two separate matches against Manchester United en route to the Europa League final, where Athletic were undone by the brilliance of Falcao as Atletico Madrid won 3-0 in Bucharest.
He was however an unused substitute for the entirety of Spain's successful European Championship campaign having emerged as a recurring impact substitute at the 2010 World Cup.
Considering David Villa missed the tournament through injury and Fernando Torres' poor form, Llorente's constant omission was a surprise, as Vicente del Bosque preferred not to play a striker and when he did, opted for Torres or Alvaro Negredo.