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Portugal have handed Rafael Leão the iconic number 7 shirt previously worn by Cristiano Ronaldo, in a symbolic change that comes as the national team faces an unexpected development involving its long-serving captain.
Leão will wear the famous number when Portugal face Denmark in their UEFA Nations League match in Copenhagen on Thursday, following Ronaldo’s sudden departure from national team retirement.
The change was confirmed in UEFA’s official list for the match, with Leão listed as number 7 and Fábio Silva taking over the number 17 shirt previously worn by the Galatasaray forward.
Ronaldo leaves the Portugal pitch
The decision to hand the shirt to Leão came less than 24 hours after Ronaldo left the Portugal camp in Denmark.
Ronaldo, 41, announced his departure on Wednesday after Portugal coach Jorge Jesus addressed the media before the match with Denmark.
Jesus had revealed that Ronaldo, who remained on the bench during Portugal’s Nations League win against Norway on Sunday, would not start against Denmark either. The coach said that Gonçalo Ramos should lead the attack, although Ronaldo could be introduced if necessary.
Ronaldo later announced on social media that, following the coach’s press conference and a conversation with Portuguese Football Federation president Pedro Proença, he had decided to leave retirement. Project reports
The Portuguese Football Federation confirmed his departure, saying the remaining 24 players will continue their preparations for the Denmark and Norway matches as planned.
The circumstances surrounding Ronaldo’s exit attracted considerable attention, although Jesus denied there was any major clash between them.
The development has also raised questions about Ronaldo’s immediate future with the national team. The veteran striker said he will explain the reasons for his departure at a later date.
Leão takes over the famous shirt
With Ronaldo no longer available for the Denmark match, Portugal wasted no time in reallocating his number.
Leão, who was originally assigned the number 17 during the current international window, has now switched to the number 7 shirt. Fábio Silva was assigned the number 17 for the match.
UEFA’s official player statistics now list Leão as Portugal’s number 7 internationally.
The change is particularly significant because the number 7 shirt has been closely identified with Ronaldo throughout his career in Portugal.
Ronaldo wore the number for much of his international career and turned it into one of the most recognizable shirt numbers in world football.
From no. 17 at no. 7
In recent years Leão has predominantly worn the number 17 shirt for Portugal.
The 27-year-old forward was also listed as number 17 in the Portuguese squad numbering for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while Ronaldo retained the number 7 shirt.
The temporary change therefore represents an important symbolic change rather than a simple routine adjustment of squad numbers.
Leão, who moved from AC Milan to Galatasaray over the summer, has emerged as one of Portugal’s most important attacking options. His pace, dribbling ability and ability to operate from attacking positions have made him a regular feature of the national team.
His elevation to No.7 now comes at a particularly significant time for Portuguese football, with the national team attempting to move forward while Ronaldo’s international future remains uncertain.
Ronaldo’s enormous legacy
The meaning of the shirt cannot be separated from Ronaldo’s extraordinary contribution to Portugal.
The former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus striker is the country’s most capped player and top international goalscorer. According to the AFP, he made 234 appearances for Portugal and scored 146 goals.
Ronaldo also played a central role in Portugal’s most successful period, helping the country win the 2016 European Championship and the 2019 UEFA Nations League.
He remained a key figure in the national team for several generations and was still included in Jorge Jesus’ Portuguese first team after the 2026 World Cup. FIFA reported that Jesus had kept Ronaldo among the players selected for the Nations League matches, stressing that the selection would be based on performance rather than reputation.
This makes Leão’s sudden inheritance of the number 7 shirt even more remarkable.
Portugal faces Denmark without Ronaldo
The immediate task for Leão and his teammates is the Nations League match with Denmark.
Portugal came into action after beating Norway, while Denmark were also involved in the early stages of the competition.
The match will test Portugal’s ability to respond to the disruption caused by Ronaldo’s departure, while Leão will attract particular attention due to the number he now has on his back.
However, wearing Ronaldo’s shirt does not automatically make Leão his successor nor does it mean he is expected to replicate the veteran’s achievements.
Instead, it represents the start of a different phase for a Portuguese team that has several established stars, including Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, João Félix and Rúben Dias, alongside emerging talents.
A symbolic beginning
Portugal’s decision contrasts with Argentina’s handling of Lionel Messi’s number 10 shirt following his absence from the national team.
While Argentina kept Messi’s famous number vacant until his scheduled farewell appearance, Portugal immediately assigned Ronaldo’s number 7 to another player for the match with Denmark.
For Leão, the opportunity is both meaningful and inspiring.
He will enter the pitch wearing a shirt that has become synonymous with one of the greatest players in football history, but the focus will ultimately be on what he can contribute to Portugal’s future.
As Ronaldo’s international chapter enters an uncertain phase, Leão’s move from number 17 to number 7 provides a striking image of transition.
The shirt still carries Ronaldo’s legacy, but for Thursday’s match with Denmark it belongs to Rafael Leão.
