Portugal will honour Ronaldo with a redesigned No 7 against Denmark in Braga

The farewell

Cristiano Ronaldo announced on 5 November that he was leaving the Portugal national team, closing a 23-year international career that began with his debut in August 2003. The 41-year-old finishes with 234 caps and 146 goals, figures that reports describe as world records for men's national sides. His exit followed weeks of friction with the new coach, Jorge Jesus, and the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) has now chosen a symbolic way to honour him. Ronaldo led Portugal to the Euro 2016 title and to Nations League wins in 2019 and 2025. The Guardian frames the Denmark match as the first game of a new era without him.

Caps234

Goals146

Caps

234

Goals

146

Data from the article text

A No 7 that cannot be retired

UEFA rules for Nations League matches require squad numbers from 1 to 23, so the 7 cannot be withdrawn. The FPF instead changed the typeface of the number, and the new design will appear on the shirt from the Denmark match. The change adds a small dash inside the figure to set it apart. The decision followed a meeting between FPF president Pedro Proença, Jorge Jesus and captains Bernardo Silva, Rúben Dias and Bruno Fernandes. Carlos Forbs has been listed with the number 7 for this match, while Rafael Leão, who is out injured, is expected to become the shirt's future owner.

“Because there are stories, memories, achievements and emotions that will forever be linked to Cristiano Ronaldo.”

Tributes before and during the match

All players are set to walk out wearing shirts numbered 7 in the new design. In the seventh minute, play will stop for a planned 60 seconds so the stadium can applaud Ronaldo, a timing El Confidencial reports was agreed with the referee. UEFA has approved both initiatives, according to Portuguese press reports. Ronaldo's usual room at the Casa dos Atletas stayed empty during this international break. The kick-off is set for 19:45 local time at the Estadio Municipal de Braga, the fifth matchday of Nations League Group A4.

The squad and the wider reaction

The squad is built around players such as Vitinha, Bruno Fernandes, João Neves, Nuno Mendes and Diogo Costa, according to the Guardian. Daniel Sá, executive director of the Portuguese institute of marketing administration, said the institute's latest evaluation values Ronaldo's personal brand at €850m (£710m). He added that most of the world watched Portugal's matches because of Ronaldo. Leonel Pontes, technical director at Shanghai Shenhua and a former coach of Ronaldo with Portugal, said the departure was not handled properly and that both sides made mistakes. Pontes added that the country missed an opportunity to pay tribute to everything Ronaldo has given the national team.