Cristiano Ronaldo might not have had the farewell match many of us anticipated, but his presence was felt everywhere as Portugal took to the pitch against Denmark in the UEFA Nations League on Saturday.
In a beautiful tribute to their former captain, every Portugal player walked onto the pitch wearing Ronaldo's iconic No. 7 jersey.
And it wasn't just the players.
Even the young mascots accompanying the footballers wore the famous No. 7, making the moment even more special.
The sight of an entire team, accompanied by children, wearing the same number was a powerful reminder of what Ronaldo has meant to Portuguese football over the past two decades.
After all, this was a man who carried the hopes of a nation for 23 years, inspiring generations of young footballers along the way.
The tribute came just nine days after the 41 year old announced his retirement from international football on November 5, bringing an end to an extraordinary journey with Portugal.
Many had expected Ronaldo to receive a proper farewell on the pitch, perhaps one final appearance in front of the supporters who had celebrated his goals for more than two decades.
That never happened.
But Portugal made sure their former captain was not forgotten as the national team began a new chapter without him.
