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Leão Steps Into Ronaldo's Iconic No. 7 for Portugal vs. Denmark
1 Oct
Summary
- Rafael Leão will wear Cristiano Ronaldo's No. 7 for Portugal's match.
- Ronaldo left the Portugal camp after a disagreement with the new manager.
- Jersey number reassignments follow international regulations for squad numbering.
Rafael Leão has been assigned Cristiano Ronaldo's iconic No. 7 jersey for Portugal's upcoming match against Denmark. The Galatasaray winger will step into the number that Ronaldo has famously worn for nearly two decades.
Ronaldo, 41, left the Portugal camp on Wednesday after a disagreement with the new manager, Jorge Jesus. This departure means he will miss Thursday's Nations League game.
According to international regulations, teams must allocate jersey numbers 1 through 23 consecutively. Since Ronaldo is no longer with the squad for this match, his No. 7 must be reassigned. UEFA confirmed squad lists showing Leão taking the jersey.
This is not the first time another player has worn Portugal's No. 7 in Ronaldo's absence. Players like Gonçalo Guedes, Carlos Forbs, Bruma, Pedro Neto, Ricardo Horta, Francisco Trincão, Sérgio Oliveira, Ricardo Quaresma, and Nani have all worn the number temporarily over the years due to squad selection rules.
