The creeping dread when you look around a club and realise you're far too old for this. You're struggling to squeeze into those stylish jeans, blowing far too heavily after 10 minutes of five-a-side and left completely bewildered when you discover that Bad Bunny is one of the world's biggest music artists and not, in fact, a naughty rabbit. We all want to hold on to our youth but the realisation that you're no longer young eventually hits us all.
Cristiano Ronaldo certainly has no trouble fitting into his trousers and would last much longer than the common man in a game at the local Astro but, just like the rest of us, he isn't immune to those falling sands. No matter how much he may try to cling to his sensational peak, Father Time comes for us all.
Ronaldo has spent well over a decade at the pinnacle of the game. He claimed his first Ballon d'Or back in 2008 while still at Manchester United after just winning his first Champions League trophy. A year later he moved to Real Madrid and went on to climb to even greater heights, winning both of the aforementioned prestigious awards another four times. He scored the bulk of his remarkable 700 goals in Spain, led his country to improbable glory and generally won all there is to win. At times he has seemingly defied the hourglass, with no sign of ever slowing down.
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But now his time at the top is coming to an end. His talents remain near-unmatchable but age is gradually taking away the physicality needed to implement them consistently on the grandest stage. When the 37-year-old wanted to leave United for a second time in the summer for Champions League football, no suitor came forward.
That sobering reality check has also been compounded by the fact that he isn't even a regular starter at United. Unlike his predecessors, Erik ten Hag has the nerve to drop Ronaldo to the bench for the betterment of the side. He has started just once in the league, a 4-0 defeat to Brentford, and has been left to starts in Moldova and Cyprus. Certainly not the glamourous quarters of European football he desired.
But on Sunday, there was a spark of life. A hint that there is still time yet. Despite discovering he is behind Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial in the striker pecking order, Ronaldo was given an opportunity when the Frenchman once again succumbed to injury in the first half against Everton. Perhaps buoyed by the prospect of playing for an hour, the No.7 looked energetic, lively and motivated.
He rolled back the years when towards the end of the half he was more alert than anyone else to the chance that was brewing. As soon as Casemiro went in for the tackle he started his run. By the time the Brazilian played the incisive through ball he was already blazing past the Everton defenders. By the time they caught up the ball was already in the back of the net. A vital win was secured.
Since about 2004, nearly two decades ago, Ronaldo has been a guaranteed starter wherever he has been. But now he isn't, he is in the new and strange position of having to fight for his place in the side. He has to justify his inclusion rather than it being a foregone conclusion. On Merseyside, Ronaldo proved he is capable of working in Ten Hag's system and still has the quality to be a decisive player.
On Thursday, United take on Omonia Nicosia in the Europa League at Old Trafford. Ronaldo did not play well in the reverse fixture a week ago but could get another chance from the start. A chance to turn that spark at Everton into the blazing resurrection of a phoenix. It's an opportunity Ronaldo has never had to face or even consider before, but on Thursday he has to prove himself and earn a starting spot in the league.
If he can, that hourglass might just be tipped on its side a little longer.
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