Rafael Leão Takes Cristiano Ronaldo’s No. 7 Shirt After Portugal Exit

Rafael Leão will wear Portugal’s iconic No. 7 shirt for the first time after Cristiano Ronaldo left the national team camp.
UEFA confirmed the change in Portugal’s squad list for the team’s upcoming match against Denmark in Copenhagen, with Leão listed as the new holder of the number long associated with Ronaldo.
Ronaldo’s departure followed days of reports about tension between the veteran forward and Portugal coach Jorge Jesus. The 41-year-old had seen his role reduced in recent matches despite remaining the team’s captain and record goalscorer.
The situation drew further attention during Portugal’s 2-1 victory over Norway on Wednesday, when Ronaldo remained among the substitutes throughout the match.
Ronaldo later announced his decision to leave the national team camp after speaking with the president of the Portuguese Football Federation. In a statement posted on Instagram, he said: “After the press conference of the national team, and following a conversation with the president of the Portuguese Football Federation, I have made the decision to leave the national team training camp.”
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner said he would eventually explain why he decided to leave. “In due course, I will tell all the Portuguese people the truth about the reasons that led me to leave the national team, to which I always dedicated myself,” he said.
Ronaldo’s exit has now created an opportunity for Leão to take over the No. 7 shirt, a number strongly associated with the former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus forward during his career.
Leão, one of Portugal’s established attacking players, will wear the number as the national team prepares for its next fixture against Denmark. His selection marks a notable change for a shirt Ronaldo made synonymous with Portuguese football.