Number 7 Cristiano Ronaldo Becomes an Eternal Icon, Portugal Unveils Special Design

Portugal National Team paid a special tribute to Cristiano Ronaldo following the megastar's decision to end his long career with the national squad. One form of this appreciation was realized through a redesign of the number 7 jersey, which has long been synonymous with the Selecao's legendary captain.

This new design was created to distinguish the number 7 worn by Ronaldo from the same number that will be used by future generations of Portugal players.

As reported by TNT Sports, this change was unveiled ahead of the UEFA Nations League match against Denmark at Estadi Municipal de Braga, Portugal, on Sunday 15 November 2026 at 02:44 WIB.

The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) added a special detail: a small horizontal line inside the digit 7. This element marks that Ronaldo's number 7 holds a unique place in the history of Portuguese football.

The announcement for this new design was also published via the official social media accounts of the Portugal National Team.

"It is time to introduce the new number 7. Because one will remain eternal," read Portugal's official statement.

This gesture stands as a symbol of Portugal's respect for one of the greatest players ever to represent the nation.

Beyond the jersey design, Portugal has also prepared a series of tribute events before and during the Denmark match. All Selecao players are scheduled to wear warm-up kits featuring the number 7 on the back as a show of appreciation for their former captain.

Another special moment will take place in the 7th minute of the match. The referee will pause the game for 60 seconds, allowing fans to give a standing ovation in honour of Ronaldo.

This series of ceremonies follows Ronaldo's announcement in early November confirming his retirement from international football.

This decision came amid reports of tensions between Ronaldo and head coach Jorge Jesus. This situation drew public attention, including news that Ronaldo had left the national team training camp early.

Regardless of the circumstances surrounding the end of his international career, Ronaldo's record and achievements with Portugal remain a fundamental part of the nation's football history.

At 41 years old, Ronaldo delivered the Euro 2016 title and two UEFA Nations League trophies for Portugal. These accomplishments underscore the massive contribution the megastar made during his many years representing the Selecao.

That said, Portugal was not able to officially retire the number 7 jersey. UEFA regulations require all players in a tournament squad to be assigned numbers between 1 and 23.

This means the iconic number will still be available for other players to wear. However, the legacy of Ronaldo's number 7 will live on through the special design introduced by the FPF.

Over his career with the Portugal National Team, Ronaldo scored 146 goals across 234 appearances. These statistics stand as proof of his consistency and productivity, as well as a towering legacy that future generations of Selecao players will look to emulate.