Rafael Leao will wear Cristiano Ronaldo’s famous No.7 shirt for Portugal against Denmark after the captain left the national-team camp, although there is no confirmation yet that the change will be permanent.

Portugal hand Rafael Leão Ronaldo’s famous No.7 after shock exit

Portugal have made a major symbolic change following Cristiano Ronaldo’s dramatic departure from the national-team camp, with Rafael Leão receiving the famous No.7 shirt.

Leão has been registered with the number for Portugal’s UEFA Nations League match against Denmark in Copenhagen.

The change comes immediately after Ronaldo left the squad following several days of controversy involving head coach Jorge Jesus.

For the first time at senior international level, Leão is now wearing the number that has been strongly connected with Ronaldo for almost two decades.

Leão receives Portugal’s No.7 shirt

Leão has normally worn the No.17 shirt for Portugal.

But with Ronaldo no longer with the squad for the Denmark match, the numbers have been changed.

Leão has moved from No.17 to:

No.7.

Fábio Silva has taken the No.17 shirt that Leão previously used.

The decision immediately attracted attention because No.7 has become one of the most famous numbers in international football because of Ronaldo.

A number connected with Ronaldo for almost 20 years

Ronaldo has worn Portugal’s No.7 shirt almost continuously since the 2007/08 season.

During that period, the number became closely connected with his international career.

Ronaldo became Portugal’s record goalscorer and appearance holder while wearing it.

He also helped his country win major international trophies and became captain of the national team.

That is why seeing another player wearing Portugal’s No.7 immediately after Ronaldo’s departure carries such strong symbolism.

First time Leão wears No.7 for senior Portugal team

Leão has worn different numbers during his international career, including No.15 and No.17.

But the Denmark match represents his first opportunity to wear No.7 for Portugal’s senior national team.

The number is not completely unfamiliar to him.

Leão previously wore No.7 during his younger years at Sporting CP and also during part of his career with Lille.

Now he has been given the same number at international level at one of the most dramatic moments in recent Portuguese football history.

Change comes immediately after Ronaldo leaves camp

The timing makes the decision even more interesting.

Ronaldo left Portugal’s camp shortly before the Nations League match against Denmark.

The controversy began after he remained on the bench during Portugal’s 2-1 victory over Norway.

Ronaldo warmed up during the game but was never introduced.

Jorge Jesus later confirmed that the captain was unhappy about not playing.

The situation continued to develop before Ronaldo eventually decided to leave the national-team camp.

He later promised that he would explain “the truth” about the reasons behind his decision at the right time.

Is Leão now Ronaldo’s permanent successor?

There is one important detail surrounding the No.7 shirt.

There has been no official confirmation that Leão has permanently inherited Ronaldo’s number.

At this stage, the confirmed change relates to Portugal’s squad for the match against Denmark.

Competition rules require the match squad to use the available shirt numbers, meaning Portugal needed to reorganise its numbers after Ronaldo left the camp.

That means describing Leão as Portugal’s permanent new No.7 would currently go further than the confirmed information.

However, the decision could still become highly significant if Ronaldo does not return to the national team.

Ronaldo has not officially retired from Portugal

Ronaldo’s international future also remains unclear.

Reports in Portugal have suggested that his time with the national team could be coming to an end.

But Ronaldo himself has not officially announced his retirement from international football.

His statement after leaving the camp focused on explaining his decision and wishing his team-mates good luck.

Until Ronaldo makes a final announcement, it remains possible that the No.7 situation could change again in future international windows.

A huge opportunity for Leão

For Leão, the change brings both attention and responsibility.

He is already one of Portugal’s most dangerous attacking players, with his speed, dribbling and ability to create chances making him an important part of the team.

Wearing No.7 does not automatically make him Ronaldo’s replacement.

But it places him directly in the spotlight at a time when Portugal may be entering a new period.

Every performance in the shirt will naturally be compared with the player who made that number famous for the national team.

Portugal begin preparing for life without Ronaldo

Whether Ronaldo’s absence is temporary or permanent remains unanswered.

But Portugal now have to prepare for an important match without their long-time captain.

And one of the clearest visual signs of that change will be Leão walking onto the pitch with No.7 on his back.

For almost two decades, Portuguese supporters became used to seeing that number alongside Ronaldo’s name.

Against Denmark, it will belong to someone else.

It may only be a shirt-number change for one match, but given everything happening around Ronaldo, the image of Rafael Leão wearing Portugal’s No.7 could become one of the defining symbols of this dramatic international break.