Portugal players walk out in No 7 shirts as federation immortalises Ronaldo’s number with new design
Portugal paid a lasting tribute to Cristiano Ronaldo before their Nations League match against Denmark at the Estadio Municipal de Braga on Saturday. Every starter wore the number 7 shirt, and the federation also made a permanent change to the design of the number.
It was Portugal’s first match since Ronaldo announced his retirement on November 5. The tribute was agreed on Thursday at a meeting involving federation president Pedro Proenca, head coach Jorge Jesus and the three captains, Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias and Bruno Fernandes.
As the teams waited in the tunnel, the players stood in the shirt that Ronaldo first wore for Portugal in August 2003. The decision was taken jointly, to celebrate one of the greatest figures in the country’s football history.
Before kick-off, the national team also tweeted a new design for the number 7, with a small change that keeps Ronaldo’s version immortalised. The post carried a short message and a goat emoji, a nod to the phrase Greatest Of All Time.
“Time to debut a new 7. Because there’s one that will be eternal.”
The federation also arranged a moment of celebration in the seventh minute, with approval from UEFA. Fans in Braga were invited to applaud the former captain, following tributes in Lisbon during the week.
At the Estadio Jose Alvalade, Sporting supporters had chanted for Ronaldo, including his famous “Siu”, during the match against Moreirense. Banners were displayed in his honour, and the big screens showed the number 28 shirt he wore in his first senior season at the club.
Ronaldo’s Portugal career lasted 23 years and brought 146 goals in 246 caps, a men’s all-time scoring record. He captained the side to Euro 2016, their first major trophy, and added Nations League titles in 2019 and 2025.
His last appearance came on September 24, a 1-0 home win over Wales. He left the national team after a falling out with Jesus, who has since said he asked him to stay.
Jesus named a side with Diogo Costa in goal, Dias in defence and Fernandes behind Goncalo Ramos, with Joao Felix and Pedro Neto in support. Denmark started with Rasmus Hojlund up front and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg in midfield.
Portugal beat Denmark 4-2 in Copenhagen on October 1, with goals from Joao Cancelo, Ramos, Vitinha and Felix. Mikkel Damsgaard and Hojlund scored for the hosts that day.