Rafael Leao has become the latest player to wear Portugal's iconic No. 7 shirt, taking over the famous number after Cristiano Ronaldo's dramatic departure from the national team camp. Leao was handed the shirt for Portugal's UEFA Nations League clash with Denmark, marking a remarkable moment given how closely the number has been associated with Ronaldo for almost two decades.
Ronaldo's exit came after tensions surrounding his role under new manager Jorge Jesus. The 41-year-old left Portugal's training camp in Copenhagen after discussions with Portuguese Football Federation president Pedro Proença and later said he would explain his reasons "in due course." His departure immediately raised questions about whether his extraordinary international career could be coming to an end.
With Ronaldo gone, Portugal had to reassign the No. 7 shirt. FIFA's squad-number regulations require teams to allocate numbers without gaps, meaning the iconic jersey could not simply remain unused. Leao, previously wearing No. 17 for Portugal, was therefore given the number.
Every Portugal No. 7 in National Team history
1. Vítor Paneira — 1988-1995
Before the Figo and Ronaldo eras, Vítor Paneira was among the prominent players associated with Portugal's No. 7. The right midfielder earned 44 caps between 1988 and 1996 and wore the number regularly during the late 1980s and early 1990s.
2. Luís Figo — 1996-2005
The No. 7 became particularly significant with Luís Figo. The legendary winger wore it for Portugal during the country's famous golden generation before eventually passing the mantle to Ronaldo.
Figo finished his international career with 127 appearances and 32 goals, while winning the Ballon d'Or in 2000.
3. Cristiano Ronaldo — 2006-2026
Ronaldo transformed the No. 7 into one of the most recognisable shirt numbers in football.
Interestingly, Ronaldo did not immediately inherit Figo's number. He initially wore No. 17 for Portugal, with Figo still occupying No. 7. After Figo's international retirement, Ronaldo eventually took the famous shirt and turned it into the CR7 brand.
For almost two decades, the number became synonymous with Ronaldo and accompanied him through Portugal's greatest period, including Euro 2016 and two Nations League triumphs.
4. Bruma — 2024
Bruma briefly broke Ronaldo's long-standing monopoly when he wore No. 7 against Sweden in March 2024. He even scored in Portugal's 5-2 victory.
It was the first time since 2007 that somebody other than Ronaldo had worn Portugal's No. 7 in a senior international.
5. Carlos Forbs — 2025
Carlos Forbs was another temporary wearer of the famous number, taking No. 7 for Portugal during Ronaldo's absence against Armenia in 2025.
6. Rafael Leao — 2026-present
Now, Leao has become the latest and most significant successor to Ronaldo.
Unlike the previous temporary changes, this one comes immediately after Ronaldo's dramatic departure from camp and amid genuine uncertainty over his international future. Leao wore No. 7 as Portugal defeated Denmark 4-2, beginning what could become a new chapter for the famous shirt.
Will Ronaldo ever wear Portugal's No. 7 again?
The significance of Leao receiving the shirt goes far beyond a simple squad-number change. For nearly 20 years, Portugal's No. 7 was essentially Ronaldo's identity.
Now, it belongs to someone else.
Ronaldo remains Portugal's most-capped player and record goalscorer, but his sudden departure has left his international future uncertain.
For Leao, wearing the number brings enormous responsibility. Whether he can create his own legacy in it remains to be seen.
And perhaps most importantly, it remains to be seen if Cristiano Ronaldo will ever return and wear the iconic No. 7 Portugal jersey again.