Ronaldo’s exit changes Portugal’s lineup plans
Portugal’s squad for the Nations League trip to Denmark took on a different look when Cristiano Ronaldo left camp and Rafael Leão was assigned the No. 7 shirt. UEFA’s published team list confirmed the change on the morning of the match, turning a routine squad update into a major talking point.
The number carries unusual weight in Portuguese football because Ronaldo made it his own for years. Even in a one-game setting, shifting that shirt to Leão gave the fixture extra symbolism, especially with Ronaldo absent from the group.
Leão normally wears No. 17 for Portugal, so the switch was more than a simple jersey adjustment. Against Denmark, he stepped into the squad’s most recognizable number while Fábio Silva took over the vacated No. 17.
How Portugal’s squad was reshuffled
| Player | Before the Denmark match | After the update |
|---|---|---|
| Rafael Leão | No. 17 | No. 7 |
| Fábio Silva | Not holding No. 17 | Inherited No. 17 |
| Bruno Fernandes | Out against Norway | Returned to the squad |
| Francisco Conceição | Unavailable | Still recovering |
The squad adjustment also reflected Bruno Fernandes’ return after missing the Norway game through injury. Francisco Conceição remained sidelined as he continued his recovery.
The change to Leão’s shirt number followed the standard Nations League process, which requires each of the 23 players on the list to be tied to a specific number from 1 to 23. Once Ronaldo was removed from the Denmark roster, No. 7 became available and was handed to Leão.
Why Ronaldo left before kickoff
Ronaldo departed the camp on Wednesday, September 30, after Jorge Jesus’ press conference and a discussion with Portuguese Football Federation president Pedro Proença. He said he would explain his reasons later.
The situation had already been building for days. Ronaldo started on the bench in Portugal’s 2-1 win over Norway, then trained separately even though he was fit to take part. Jesus acknowledged that the forward was unhappy with the decision, but he denied that the episode had become a true personal clash.
The timing, coming less than 24 hours before the Denmark match in Copenhagen, quickly fueled speculation about Ronaldo’s national-team future. Portugal’s prime minister was also reported to have become involved, adding to the attention around the story.
As of October 1, the federation had not announced any retirement decision, and Ronaldo had already suggested earlier in the year that 2026/27 could be his final season. For now, the immediate reality is simple: Portugal goes on without its longtime No. 7, and Leão wears the shirt in his place.
