Cristiano Ronaldo thanks Portugal supporters after being substituted during a UEFA Nations League match against Wales in September.
Armando Franca/AP
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During the five minutes it took to watch Cristiano Ronaldo’s emotional farewell video to the Portuguese national team, it was easy to forget the sour note on which his international career has ended.

For a player whose career has been defined by ruthless self-confidence and the endless pursuit of statistics, it was refreshing to see the 41-year-old speak with such humility and vulnerability about a 23-year love affair with the national team.