Portugal forward Rafael Leão has been handed Cristiano Ronaldo’s iconic No. 7 shirt following the veteran striker’s departure from the national team camp.
Portugal confirmed that Leão will wear the famous number for the team’s next two matches, marking a symbolic moment for the AC Milan forward as he takes over a shirt long associated with his country’s most celebrated footballer.
Leão, who previously wore No. 17 for Portugal, will temporarily step into Ronaldo’s number, with the change limited to the upcoming fixtures.
The development comes after Ronaldo left the national team camp, creating an opening for the reassignment of the shirt.
For Leão, the change represents more than a switch of numbers. He now carries the No. 7 into
Portugal’s next international assignments, a shirt that has become closely identified with Ronaldo’s influence and achievements in the national team.
However, the arrangement is only for the next two games and does not signal a permanent change in ownership of the number.
Ronaldo has worn Portugal’s No. 7 for much of his international career, making it one of the most recognisable shirts in the national team’s history.
Leão will now have the opportunity to write his own chapter in the number as Portugal prepares to continue its campaign without its long-serving captain.
