Cristiano Ronaldo No.7 shirt passes to teammate as Portugal camp walkout fuels drama
Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo left the national team camp on Wednesday after being an unused substitute in the win over Norway, and his iconic No.7 shirt will be worn by teammate Rafael Leão for the remainder of the international break. The decision follows a heated exchange with manager Jorge Jesus and a public statement by the football legend.
Ronaldo's sudden exit
Ronaldo announced his departure in a social‑media post, writing that after the press conference and a conversation with the President of the Portuguese Football Federation he had decided to leave the national team camp. He added that he would later explain the reasons for his exit and wished all his teammates “good luck, without exception”. Getty images later showed the player exiting the training ground, underscoring the abrupt nature of the move.
Leão inherits the iconic number
Rafael Leão, the Galatasaray winger, will don the No.7 jersey when Portugal face Denmark on Thursday evening, according to the official UEFA squad list. Leão previously wore No.17 in his last appearance against Wales, but the list now records him as No.7, marking a swift transition after Ronaldo’s walkout. The change gives Leão the chance to wear a number that has become a global football brand.
UEFA rules and future outlook
UEFA regulations require that players in the Nations League competitive phase wear numbers between 1 and 23, and each match‑day squad must submit a list with the assigned numbers. Consequently, the No.7 shirt cannot be retired outright; it must be allocated to another eligible player, which explains the rapid reassignment to Leão. Ronaldo’s sister, Elma Aveiro, posted a scathing comment on social media, suggesting the star may never return to the Portugal side and questioning the respect shown to him.
Elma Aveiro says Portugal doomed to mediocrity after Ronaldo quits
She wrote, “CR7 deserved more respect. The national team deserved more structure. Ronaldo’s international future is now up in the air after the drama regarding his minutes.” Her remarks echo a broader criticism of Portuguese football administration, with some fans calling for greater competence and less speculation.
Manager Jorge Jesus has stood by his decision to keep Ronaldo on the bench, and he will be back on the touchline for the Denmark clash on Thursday. However, Ronaldo will not be part of the squad, and the team will field Leão in the famed No.7 shirt. Portugal’s next fixtures include the Denmark match and a repeat encounter with Norway on Sunday evening.
Ronaldo leaves training camp, Portugal must plan the future
The swift number swap highlights the volatile atmosphere within the Portugal camp and raises questions about the veteran’s future involvement in upcoming Nations League ties. With the squad now sporting a new No.7, the focus shifts to how Leão will perform under the weight of the iconic jersey and whether the episode will influence Portugal’s campaign.