The Portugal national football team has officially determined the new owner of the iconic number seven shirt following the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo. The famous jersey, which for two decades was inextricably linked exclusively with the name of the legendary forward, has been handed over to a new leader of the national team. This step marks the beginning of a new era for the Iberian squad, which is rapidly updating its roster and looking for fresh tactical solutions on the international stage ahead of crucial UEFA Nations League matches.
The new holder of the legendary number seven is 27-year-old winger Rafael Leão. Previously, the footballer played for the national team under the vacant number 17 shirt, but now the coaching staff has entrusted him with the most responsible jersey. Leão is expected to step onto the pitch for the upcoming Nations League duel against Denmark wearing precisely the number seven. Meanwhile, his former number 17 shirt has been passed to young and promising Borussia Dortmund forward Fábio Silva, who is also being called up to the senior national team.
The Era of Cristiano Ronaldo and Reasons for the Number Change
The number seven in the Portugal national team was inseparably connected with Cristiano Ronaldo since his debut for the squad back in 2003. Over more than two decades, the star forward played 234 matches in the national jersey and scored an impressive 146 goals, becoming an absolute record holder in world football across many indicators. The change of owner for such a milestone playing attribute came as a surprise to many fans and experts, given the player's historical status in the country.
However, this personnel decision followed immediately after Ronaldo's loud and scandalous departure from the national team camp. The catalyst for the demarche was a serious conflict between the player and Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus. The veteran was extremely dissatisfied with remaining on the bench for the entire Nations League match against Norway, which ended in a 2:1 victory for the Portuguese. Insiders note that the manager allegedly breached prior verbal agreements regarding guaranteed playing time for the captain, prompting a sharp reaction from the player.
Contradictory Data
Certain discrepancies emerge in official reports and insider leaks surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo's departure from the Portugal national team and the subsequent transfer of his legendary number. On one hand, the football federation and sources close to the coaching staff insist that the player left the team camp of his own accord in protest against Jorge Jesus's decisions, violating discipline. On the other hand, representatives from the player's inner circle hint that the situation was artificially provoked to accelerate generational turnover in the squad and reduce media pressure on the star veteran.
Rafael Leão's Career Path and Prospects
Rafael Leão made his debut for the Portugal national team in the autumn of 2021 and has since managed to secure his status as one of the key attacking players. Currently, he has 50 appearances and 6 goals to his name for the national team. He participated in matches across two World Cups and defended the team's colors at the Euro 2024 European Championship. At the club level in the summer of 2026, the winger left Italian side AC Milan for Turkish powerhouse Galatasaray, where he continues to adapt to the requirements of the new championship and regain optimal playing form.
