BBC Sport Wales looks back at new manager Craig Bellamy's colourful playing days for the national team.
And along the way there were moments of controversy, tragedy and brilliance, all often bookmarked with brutal honesty.
Black comedy, is how Bellamy later described it, as the honour of his debut against Jamaica at Ninian Park was preceded by manager Gould and striker John Hartson’s infamous training ground wrestling match. Bellamy had played as a midfielder in Gould’s last game, a typically shambolic 4-0 defeat by Italy in Bologna.
"I've read your columns and they're not very complimentary," Bellamy said to one journalist at the pre-match press conference. "I've got this thing about me but I'm not bothered. What's more important to me is my manager, the players around me and my family. They're the only people I have to prove anything to. It's easy to judge me, but they're the ones who know me.
He said later the relief of her recovery saw him play with a freedom, scoring twice as Wales found five of their own against Slovakia in a counter-attacking masterclass from their captain.
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