The Chelsea and England midfielder's mother passed away last year and there is little, if anything, that compares with such an emotional void - certainly not losing the Champions League final to Manchester United last season or their controversial semi-final exit to Barcelona this time around.

In the midst of all that footballing turmoil, Lampard's relationship broke up and for a part of the week at least, the fatherly routine of kissing his children before setting off for training at the club's Cobham headquarters was also taken away from him.

It is a proven fact that the death of a parent often results in relationship problems and yet Lampard worked through all the pain by providing his employers with yet another goal-filled return on the pitch.

His only understandable moment of weakness, in the public's eyes at least, came when he phoned a London radio station to defend himself against accusations that he was a bad father.

Lampard called James O'Brien's LBC show last month after the host commented on newspaper reports that the midfielder's former partner and the mother of his children, Elen Rives, had accused him of being "heartless" by making them move to a small flat while he enjoyed a bachelor lifestyle in their old house.

But it was a measure of Lampard's maturity that on the first anniversary of his mother's death, he was brave enough to pick up the phone and hit back at O'Brien's insensitive and ill-timed remarks.

Saturday's FA Cup final against Everton will provide Lampard with a chance to win more silverware but another winner's medal is unlikely to ease the pain of his mother's passing or the break-up of his relationship.

Football remains important for Lampard, a "get-out" as he calls it, but the element of winning everything in sight has been traded, not surprisingly, for an insight into what is really meaningful in life.

"It's very important we win something for the confidence of the club and take something away from the season," said Lampard.

"It was hard to miss out on the Champions League, but as you get a bit older you realise you can't win everything.

"The adrenaline of going out and playing football is kind of a 'get-out' sometimes from a lot of things outside.

"I get an adrenaline rush out of training as well as playing, so this season has been great for me in those terms.

"Even though we haven't won anything yet this season, when I've been running out, I've been feeling on top of my game.

"The FA Cup final has always been special. I know there are always other competitions during the season so your focus can be on various things, but once you get to this stage you realise what a huge occasion it is, not just for your own and the opposition fans, but on the worldwide stage.

"Everyone watches the cup final and it will always be a massive event. Our form since Guus Hiddink took over has been championship-winning form, and we only didn't go to the Champions League final because of things that happened on the night. Our performance over the last five months has set the standard."

As for Hiddink, who will return to the Russia national side after Saturday's final, Lampard added: "He's been very impressive, the way he handles players, the way he handles everything really.

"It will be great to finish off with a big day out and a win for him. It would be lovely if we could do that. All the players here and everyone he's worked with wants his season to finish like that.

"I got Chelsea 'Player of the Year' and I was very proud to get that, from the people who watch you week in, week out.

"All I've done is try to do my stuff here and play as well as I can and hopefully next year, whether I play as well, or not, or better, if we can win things I will be happier again."

Football is still important for Frank Lampard.