Portugal hands Cristiano Ronaldo's famous shirt to Galatasaray forward against Denmark

Portugal forward Rafael Leao. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Portugal hands Cristiano Ronaldo's famous shirt to Galatasaray forward against Denmark

By Olamilekan Ajayi | Last updated Oct 1, 2026 3:14 PM ET

UEFA's official matchday list for Portugal's Nations League meeting with Denmark on Thursday carries a new name beside the No. 7, less than 24 hours after Cristiano Ronaldo walked out of the national team camp in Copenhagen. Kickoff at Parken Stadium is set for 2:45 p.m. ET.

Rafael Leao, who has worn No. 17 for Portugal, moves into the shirt. The Galatasaray forward's old number goes to Fabio Silva, who is part of the matchday squad.

Ronaldo, 41, did not play in Sunday's 2-1 win over Norway after head coach Jorge Jesus told him he would come off the bench and then left him there. He also missed the team's final training session before the Denmark match, and on Wednesday he confirmed he was gone.

"Following the national team manager's press conference, and after a conversation with the President of the Portuguese Football Federation, I have decided to leave the national team camp," Ronaldo wrote on X "For now, it is time to wish Portugal and all my teammates, without exception, the very best of luck."

OFFICIAL: Portugal confirm Rafa Leão wears No7 shirt already tonight against Denmark. pic.twitter.com/7kUuc7mI90
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 1, 2026

Após a conferência de imprensa do Selecionador Nacional, e no seguimento de uma conversa com o Presidente da Federação Portuguesa de Futebol, tomei a decisão de deixar o estágio da Seleção Nacional.

A seu tempo, direi a verdade a todos os Portugueses sobre as razões que… pic.twitter.com/j8Qrws9KTS
— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) September 30, 2026

The statement points to Jesus' news conference as the trigger. Jesus has denied any personal dispute, explaining that he told Ronaldo on Tuesday he would not feature against Denmark.

"I told the player he wasn't going to play. If I need you for 30 minutes, you'll play; if not, you won't. No player will make me change my mind." Jesus said, via Daniel Ochei of Football Today.

Is Rafael Leao now Portugal's No. 7 for good?

UEFA's Nations League rules require every player on a matchday sheet to wear a number between 1 and 23. Portugal listed all 23 available players for Denmark, so somebody had to take the No. 7 on Thursday.

That rule explains why the shirt was reassigned overnight, but the choice of player came from inside the Portugal setup. Silva, the new arrival, could have taken the open No. 7 directly. Instead, Leao was moved off the number he has worn for his country, and Silva took his old one.

No one from the federation has said who made that call. The federation has also not said whether the number stays with Leao once this window closes.

Ronaldo has said he will explain the reasons for his departure at a later date. Portugal enters the match top of Group A4 after wins over Wales and Norway.

Olamilekan Ajayi

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