Portugal alter No.7 shirt design after Cristiano Ronaldo’s international retirement

The Portuguese Football Federation announced on social media on Saturday, November 14 that it will change the design of the national team’s No. 7 jersey following Cristiano Ronaldo’s retirement from international football, adding a cross to the number as shown in a federation video.

The FPF published a clip and accompanying message on its channels explaining the visual change will ensure the original No. 7 design worn by Ronaldo will not be used by another player, preserving it as part of his legacy. The federation posted: Tempo de estrear um novo 7. Porque há um que será eterno ∞🐐 pic.twitter.com/UCozRU3t89

"This is another way to eternalise the meaning of such a special number and honour the legacy it represents for us," a statement from the FPF read. "Because there are stories, memories, all the achievements and emotions, which will forever be linked to Cristiano Ronaldo. From today we will thus have a different number 7 on the sweater, with the same essence and the same pride, reserving the previous one for the eternalisation of the story that will never be forgotten. Thank you, Cristiano!"

Ronaldo wore Portugal’s No. 7 shirt for more than two decades and announced his retirement from international football on November 5. The 41-year-old forward, who plays for Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, finishes as Portugal’s all-time top scorer with 146 goals in 234 caps.

Alongside the permanent alteration to the No. 7 design, the FPF has arranged a special tribute during Portugal’s UEFA Nations League Group A4 match against Denmark on Saturday at the Estadio Municipal de Braga. Every member of the Portuguese matchday squad will wear the No. 7 jersey during the pre-match walkout in Braga.

Portuguese outlet A Bola reported the change and the match tributes were agreed during a meeting involving FPF president Pedro Proença, national team head coach Jorge Jesus and senior players Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias and Bruno Fernandes. Supporters at the stadium will be invited to stand and give a ovation to Ronaldo in the seventh minute of the match.

The federation’s announcement makes the modified No. 7 immediate and permanent and the planned pre-match and seventh-minute tributes will take place during Portugal’s Nations League fixture against Denmark at the Estadio Municipal de Braga on Saturday.