As the sun sets on the Volksparkstadion in Hamburg this Friday, it might also be the final act of one of football's greatest in the European championships.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal's talisman, faces what could be his final battle in the tournament. The stage is set against France, a team as formidable as they come, and the stakes are personal for Ronaldo.
Ronaldo's journey with Portugal has been nothing short of a fairy tale. From his debut as a teenager to lifting the European Championship trophy in 2016 against the same opponent, he has been the heartbeat of the team. Now, at the age of 39, the whispers of retirement grow louder, and the quarterfinal against France could be the last time we witness Ronaldo in Europe's grandest footballing theatre.
Defeat against France might not just spell the end of Portugal's campaign but could also draw the curtain on Ronaldo's European escapades. It's a moment fraught with emotion and gravity as fans around the world ponder the possibility of bidding farewell to a legend.
Yet, if history has taught us anything, it's that Ronaldo is no stranger to defying expectations.
As he steps onto the pitch, he carries with him the hopes of a nation and the desire to etch his name one last time in the annals of European football.
Yet, we know Ronaldo thrives under pressure, under the bright lights where legends are made. If this is to be his last match for Portugal in the Euros, expect him to leave it all on the field. He will fight with every fibre of his being to have one more shot at glory.
The question remains: Can Ronaldo defy time and lead Portugal past a star-studded French side? Or will the final whistle on Friday also be the final note in the symphony of his Euro and potentially international career?
One thing is certain: if this is the end, Ronaldo will not go gently.
He will rage against the dying of the light, and whether in victory or defeat, he will do so in a way that only Cristiano Ronaldo can.
