Portugal: Rafael Leão inherits Ronaldo’s iconic No. 7 shirt

Portugal have handed Rafael Leão the iconic No. 7 shirt previously worn by Cristiano Ronaldo, in a symbolic change that comes as the national team navigates an unexpected development involving its long-time captain.

Leão will wear the famous number when Portugal face Denmark in their UEFA Nations League encounter in Copenhagen on Thursday, following Ronaldo’s sudden departure from the national team’s training camp.

The change was confirmed in UEFA’s official squad list for the match, with Leão listed as No. 7 and Fábio Silva taking over the No. 17 shirt previously worn by the Galatasaray forward.

Ronaldo leaves Portugal camp

The decision to hand Leão the shirt came less than 24 hours after Ronaldo left Portugal’s camp in Denmark.

Ronaldo, 41, announced his departure on Wednesday after Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus addressed the media ahead of the Denmark fixture.

Jesus had revealed that Ronaldo, who remained an unused substitute during Portugal’s Nations League victory over Norway on Sunday, would not start against Denmark either. The coach said Gonçalo Ramos was expected to lead the attack, although Ronaldo could have been introduced if required.

Ronaldo subsequently 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 the training camp. Blueprint reports

The Portuguese Football Federation confirmed his departure, saying the remaining 24 players would continue preparations for the Denmark and Norway fixtures as planned.

The circumstances surrounding Ronaldo’s exit have generated considerable attention, although Jesus denied that there had been a major confrontation between them.

The development has also raised questions over Ronaldo’s immediate future with the national team. The veteran forward has said he will explain the reasons for his departure at a later date.

Leão takes over famous shirt

With Ronaldo no longer available for the Denmark fixture, Portugal have wasted little time in reallocating his number.

Leão, who was originally assigned No. 17 during the current international window, has now moved into the No. 7 shirt. Fábio Silva has been given No. 17 for the match.

UEFA’s official player statistics now list Leão as Portugal’s No. 7 at international level.

The change is particularly significant because the No. 7 shirt has been closely identified with Ronaldo throughout his Portugal career.

Ronaldo wore the number for much of his international career and transformed it into one of the most recognisable shirt numbers in world football.

From No. 17 to No. 7

Leão has predominantly worn No. 17 for Portugal in recent years.

The 27-year-old forward was also listed as No. 17 in Portugal’s squad numbering for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while Ronaldo retained the No. 7 shirt.

The temporary switch therefore represents a major symbolic change rather than simply a routine squad-number adjustment.

Leão, who moved from AC Milan to Galatasaray during the summer, has emerged as one of Portugal’s important attacking options. His pace, dribbling ability and capacity to operate from wide attacking positions have made him a regular feature of the national team.

His elevation to No. 7 now comes at a particularly significant moment for Portuguese football, with the national team attempting to move forward while Ronaldo’s international future remains uncertain.

Ronaldo’s enormous legacy

The significance of the shirt cannot be separated from Ronaldo’s extraordinary contribution to Portugal.

The former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus forward is the country’s most-capped player and leading international goalscorer. According to AFP, he has 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 has remained a key figure in the national team across several generations and was still included in Jorge Jesus’s first Portugal squad after the 2026 World Cup. FIFA reported that Jesus had retained Ronaldo among the players selected for the Nations League fixtures, while stressing that selection would be based on performance rather than reputation.

That makes Leão’s sudden inheritance of the No. 7 shirt even more notable.

Portugal face Denmark without Ronaldo

The immediate task for Leão and his teammates is the Nations League meeting with Denmark.

Portugal entered the fixture after defeating Norway, while Denmark were also involved in the early stages of the competition.

The match will provide an early test of Portugal’s ability to respond to the disruption caused by Ronaldo’s departure, while Leão will attract particular attention because of the number now on his back.

However, wearing Ronaldo’s shirt does not automatically make Leão his successor or mean he is expected to replicate the veteran’s achievements.

Instead, it represents the beginning of a different phase for a Portugal side 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 No. 10 shirt following his absence from the national team.

While Argentina have kept Messi’s famous number vacant until his planned farewell appearance, Portugal have immediately assigned Ronaldo’s No. 7 to another player for the Denmark fixture.

For Leão, the opportunity is both significant and challenging.

He will walk onto 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 No. 17 to No. 7 provides a striking image of transition.

The shirt may still carry Ronaldo’s legacy, but for Thursday’s meeting with Denmark, it belongs to Rafael Leão.