A magnificent performance in an unforgettable 4-0 semi-final second leg win against holders Real Madrid had already entered City folklore even before the European showpiece.
Then came his finest hour and a bit at the edge of Europe where Stones was tasked with operating as an effective number eight for the first time in his career.
What followed was a display of quite magisterial proportions.
Officially Rodri was named player of the match by the UEFA delegates.
However, for the vast majority both present in Istanbul and watching from afar it was Stones who ultimately stole the show as he helped nullify the Italians’ midfield prowess whist also providing an extra layer of creativity and refinement to City’s play.
For the man himself, the events of that night were proof positive that, for a lucky few, dreams sometimes do come true.
“I have to say I loved the [hybrid] role from the start,” Stones recalls.
“Playing there really helped you appreciate other people’s roles – you see other people’s positions from a different perspective
“You realise when I might give a pass to a midfielder - but being on the receiving end of that you know if it’s the wrong pass or the wrong position in which to give it.
“I think it's such a unique position that you have to be spatially aware, I had to learn and adapt in terms of knowing when I can take the ball.
“Body shape and timing is so specific in that midfield role. The manager simplified it for me, so it was about me trying to implement what he had taught me.
“Often my movement was not to get the ball but just to create space for other guys.
“And in the Champions League final I just revelled in the position I played as a number eight. Though I’d not played it before, I absolutely loved it.
“I got on the ball so much that night and I just didn’t want what had happened in Porto in 2021 when we lost to Chelsea in the Champions League final to happen there.
“Going into the game itself there were no nerves. I was cold – there was no real emotion.
“I didn’t want to overthink things or get too involved.
“The attitude was: ‘I’m going to give everything and leave everything out there.’
“Everything just fell into place that night.
“I just knew it was ours for some reason
“In that moment you are not thinking about the pressure or anything like that.
“You are just solely focused on what is in front of you.
“But when I look back now there was some sort of feeling around the place or around me that I just knew we were going to win.
“Something about that game brought out that kid inside you that just wants to win.
“In fact, going back to the Treble season as a whole I believe it was already written for us.
“Going into the FA Cup final against Manchester United the week before, I wasn’t thinking about the Champions League final, it was all about what comes next.
“Once the game came and obviously Gundo scored so early it was there.
“It wasn’t a smooth game, but you just felt it and it set us up for the Champions League final perfectly.”