Rafael Leão will wear Cristiano Ronaldo's No. 7 shirt for Portugal in the next two UEFA Nations League matches, after Ronaldo left the national team camp.
UEFA confirmed the change on Thursday, October 1, 2026, when it published Portugal's updated squad list for the game against Denmark in Copenhagen. The list shows Leão, a forward who plays for Galatasaray, as No. 7. Leão joined the Turkish club from AC Milan in the summer of 2026.
The shirt number will also be his for Portugal's home game against Norway on Sunday, October 4.
Why the number had to change?
UEFA Nations League rules say matchday squads must be numbered in order from 1 to 23. Empty numbers are not allowed on the official list. Once Ronaldo left, Portugal had to give No. 7 to someone else. The team did not call up a replacement player.
Leão had worn No. 17 in Portugal's earlier games in this Nations League cycle. That number now goes to Fábio Silva.
Reports say the move does not mean Portugal has handed the number to Leão for good.
Ronaldo left the camp on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, after a meeting with Pedro Proença, the president of the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF). His exit came amid talk that he might retire and reports of tension with coach Jorge Jesus.
Ronaldo has not officially retired from international football. Before leaving, he was an unused substitute in Portugal's 2–1 win over Norway on Sunday, September 27, 2026.
