It was back in Skopje when Diego Costa last resembled a professional footballer.
On June 8, the Chelsea striker led the line for Spain in La Roja’s 2-1 win over Macedonia in their World Cup qualifier.
The 2010 world champions look well placed to qualify for next summer’s finals in Russia, particularly having toyed with and taken apart Italy in Madrid earlier this month.
On that night, David Villa, still going strong in MLS, received a standing ovation from the Santiago Bernabeu.
That same evening, in his hometown of Lagarto, in the Brazilian state of Sergipe, Costa's footballing exile continued.
That exile continues, with September 20 marking the 100 day mark.
No striker scored more important goals in the Premier League last season, with the Spain hitman directly accounting for 15 points as Antonio Conte's Chelsea surged clear of the pack and landed the Premier League title.
Costa, 29 next month, scored 22 goals in all competitions, but as summer arrived he was deemed surplus to requirements by Conte. The Italian, quite simply, had had enough of everything surrounding his attacking focal point; he wanted no further part in their marriage of convenience.
The eye-fluttering at China, the unhappiness in the Premier League, the want to go back to Atletico, the squabbles behind the scenes. Conte had had enough and his aim, getting out in front of the situation, was to get it over and done with early.
Instead, it has dragged.
After international duty, Costa fled to South America. He enjoyed himself, making it clear that he would do as he pleased. When it was time to return, he didn't. Fine after fine hasn't changed a thing.
The desire to join Atletico - and only Atletico - remains. Costa wants to reunite with Diego Simeone, the Argentine wants him. Atletico are understood to have made an offer worth £57million. The deal for Costa outstrips the record fee Atletico paid to take Radamel Falcao from Porto in 2011. But no fee has yet been agreed.
In truth, it is all a sorry state; the side that doesn't want him hold for maximum value, the side who do want him look to pay as little as possible and the player holding out for a loyalty bonus from Chelsea, claiming he has been forced out of the squad against his will.
When Spain inevitably jet off for Russia next summer and look for more international glory, Julen Lopetegui’s revitalised side will be among the favourites.
Lopetegui himself has shown empathy towards his ostracised striker’s situation, but is clear that unless Costa is playing regularly, he won’t be at next summer’s finals.
"Our hope is that he will resolve his situation as soon as possible and that he can compete, train and play, which is what he likes doing the most and what interests the national team,” Lopetegui told beIN Sports this week.
"It's rather complicated that a guy who doesn't train and doesn't play can be with us. But that's all it is. He wasn't ready to play with us [against Italy and Liechtenstein], that was the reality and what we had to deal with. That is the reason why he wasn't with us. He needs to train and play in order to be considered.”
Until January, that won’t happen, with the AWOL striker unwelcome at Cobham for so long as Conte is manager.
Failure to procure a move to Madrid in January will continue the limbo in which the Blues’ No.19 finds himself. It will also cost him his World Cup place and another six months of his career.
At this stage however, with enough money to live comfortably for the rest of his life if he never kicks a ball again, you have to question just how much he cares about playing anymore.