Reported by Weng Patrick Atokor l Journalist at Weng Global
Rafael Leão will wear Portugal’s iconic No. 7 shirt against Denmark after Cristiano Ronaldo left the national team’s training camp ahead of Thursday’s UEFA Nations League fixture in Copenhagen.
Leão, who normally wears No. 17 for Portugal, has been assigned Ronaldo’s number in the official 23-player matchday squad released for the Denmark game. Fábio Silva has taken Leão’s previous No. 17 shirt.
The change comes less than 24 hours after Ronaldo, Portugal’s captain and record goalscorer, left the team’s training camp following a tense period involving head coach Jorge Jesus.
Although Leão’s new shirt number has attracted significant attention because of its association with Ronaldo, the immediate change relates to the squad registered for the Nations League fixture and should not, by itself, be interpreted as confirmation that Leão has permanently inherited the number.
Leão Gets Ronaldo’s No. 7
UEFA released Portugal’s official matchday squad on Thursday ahead of the meeting with Denmark, with Ronaldo absent from the 23-player list.
Leão was subsequently listed as No. 7, while Fábio Silva was given No. 17.
The move gives Leão one of the most recognisable shirt numbers in international football. Ronaldo has worn No. 7 for Portugal for much of his senior international career, making the number closely connected with his identity and achievements for the national team.
Flashscore reported that Leão, who had been wearing No. 17, was given Ronaldo’s No. 7 for the Denmark fixture after Ronaldo’s departure from the camp.
Portugal’s official squad selection also reflects other changes, including the return of Bruno Fernandes and the inclusion of Fábio Silva, while Francisco Conceição is absent through injury.
Ronaldo Leaves Portugal Camp
Ronaldo’s departure followed developments surrounding his role in the team under new head coach Jorge Jesus.
The 41-year-old forward did not play in Portugal’s 2-1 Nations League victory over Norway on September 27. Jesus had indicated that Ronaldo could come off the bench but ultimately chose not to introduce him during the match.
Ronaldo subsequently trained separately from the rest of the squad on Monday and Tuesday.
On Wednesday, Jesus addressed the situation at a press conference and rejected suggestions that Ronaldo had refused to train. The coach acknowledged that Ronaldo had been disappointed about not playing against Norway but said he considered the matter resolved.
Ronaldo later confirmed that he had decided to leave Portugal’s training camp.
In a statement posted on social media, he said the decision followed the coach’s press conference and a conversation with Portuguese Football Federation president Pedro Proença. Ronaldo also said he would explain his reasons for leaving at a later stage.
The Portuguese Football Federation confirmed his departure while saying the remaining squad would continue preparations for the upcoming fixtures.
Ronaldo’s International Future Remains Unclear
Ronaldo’s departure has raised questions about his immediate future with Portugal, although his exit from the current camp does not formally establish that he has retired from international football.
The veteran forward had already generated retirement speculation in August when he indicated that the coming year could be the final stage of his playing career.
Before his departure from the current camp, Ronaldo remained an important part of Portugal’s plans under Jesus. When the new coach announced his first squad in September, Ronaldo was included among the players selected for the Nations League matches against Wales, Norway and Denmark.
Ronaldo is Portugal’s record goalscorer and most-capped player, according to Reuters, with 146 international goals and 234 appearances.
His absence therefore represents a significant change for a Portugal side that has relied on him for much of the past two decades.
Leão Steps Into the Spotlight
Leão now faces increased attention as he takes the No. 7 shirt for the Denmark match.
The 27-year-old forward has been part of Portugal’s senior team for several years and was included in Jesus’s first squad after the coach took charge.
Leão normally operates as an attacking player and was listed alongside other Portugal forwards including Fábio Silva, Francisco Trincão, Gonçalo Ramos, João Félix and Pedro Neto in the squad announced earlier in September.
His temporary move from No. 17 to No. 7 gives him a prominent role in the visual identity of Portugal’s squad for the match, but the number change alone does not establish a permanent succession to Ronaldo.
The immediate situation is linked to the players registered for Thursday’s Nations League fixture.
Portugal Prepare for Denmark
Portugal face Denmark in Copenhagen on Thursday, October 1, in the third round of their UEFA Nations League Group A4 campaign.
The match comes after Portugal defeated Wales and Norway in their opening fixtures. The team is currently at the top of its group following those victories.
Portugal’s next scheduled Nations League fixture is against Norway on October 4.
The Denmark match will therefore be an important test for Jesus as he manages the team without Ronaldo following the forward’s departure from camp.
Jesus took charge of Portugal in 2026 after Roberto Martínez left the position following Portugal’s World Cup campaign. Ronaldo was included in Jesus’s first Portugal squad, making the latest developments particularly significant during the early stages of the new coach’s tenure.
What the No. 7 Change Means
Leão’s selection as No. 7 has naturally generated attention because Ronaldo made the shirt synonymous with his career for Portugal.
However, the current change should be understood in the context of the Denmark matchday squad rather than as a formal announcement concerning the long-term ownership of the number.
UEFA’s published squad list for the match confirms Ronaldo’s absence and Leão’s assignment of No. 7.
Whether Leão continues to wear the number in future Portugal fixtures will depend on subsequent squad selections and shirt-number allocations.
Similarly, Ronaldo’s departure from the camp has not yet provided a definitive answer about whether he will continue representing Portugal internationally.
A New Chapter for Portugal
The events surrounding the Denmark fixture highlight a transitional period for Portugal.
Ronaldo remains the country’s most prominent international goalscorer and most-capped player, while Leão represents one of the attacking options available to a team attempting to maintain its competitive position in the Nations League.
For Thursday’s match, however, the immediate facts are clear: Ronaldo will not be part of Portugal’s squad, Leão will wear the No. 7 shirt, and Fábio Silva will take No. 17.
The wider questions surrounding Ronaldo’s international future and the long-term significance of Leão’s new number remain unresolved.
Portugal’s focus now turns to Denmark, where Jesus will lead the team without its veteran captain and where Leão will take the field wearing a shirt that has carried Ronaldo’s name for much of his international career.
Weng Global – Stories beyond borders
Sources
Reuters
UEFA
Al Jazeera
Flashscore
ZeroZero
