Portugal striker Cristiano Ronaldo was missing from the national team’s lineup against Denmark on Thursday, October 1, 2026, but it was the sight of Rafael Leao wearing Ronaldo’s signature No. 7 shirt that really got people talking.
Leao walked out at Copenhagen’s Parken Stadium wearing the number that has been associated with the highest goal scorer in the history for almost two decades, just a day after the 41-year-old left Portugal’s national team camp.
It immediately raised an obvious question: has Portugal already moved on from Ronaldo? But the answer isn’t as simple as it seems.
Leao getting the No. 7 was largely down to UEFA rules rather than Portugal officially choosing him as Ronaldo’s successor.
For Nations League matches, players on the match sheet have to be assigned numbers between 1 and 23. Once Ronaldo left the squad, Portugal could not simply keep his No. 7 vacant.
That meant somebody had to wear it and this time it was Leao.
The winger normally wears No. 17 for Portugal, but that number went to Fabio Silva for the 4-2 win over Denmark.
Still, pulling on Ronaldo’s shirt was not just another number change for Leao.
“Wearing the number 7 shirt was something special for me, because Cristiano has been my idol since I was a child,” Leao said after the match.
He added that he simply wanted to honour the shirt and enjoy the occasion.
It is also not the first time another Portuguese player has worn No. 7 during Ronaldo’s absence.
Nani, Ricardo Quaresma, Bruma and Ricardo Horta are among those who have previously used the number when Ronaldo was unavailable.
What makes Leao’s case different is the timing.
Ronaldo left the Portugal camp following growing tension over his role in the team after he remained on the bench during the win over Norway.
His departure has now thrown his international future into uncertainty, although Ronaldo himself has not announced his retirement from Portugal.
So Leao wearing No. 7 does not officially make him the replacement of CR7.
2026-10-02 18:32:00
