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Portugal Redesigns No. 7 Shirt to Honor Ronaldo After Retirement

Portugal's football federation has redesigned the No. 7 shirt to honor Cristiano Ronaldo, who retired from international football on November 5. Carlos Forbs was set to become the first player to wear it, against Denmark in the Nations League in Braga.

By Alistair Sterling

November 14, 20262 min read

Portugal Redesigns No. 7 Shirt to Honor Ronaldo After Retirement

Portugal's football federation has permanently redesigned the No. 7 national team shirt to honor Cristiano Ronaldo, and Carlos Forbs was set to be the first player to wear it in Saturday's Nations League match against Denmark in Braga.

The change follows Ronaldo's retirement from international football. He announced it on November 5 after a falling out with Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus.

The federation kept the original design of the number, tied to Ronaldo's career, and introduced a new version alongside it. Portugal's social media video showed a horizontal line crossing the 7, as the digit is commonly written in Europe. It suggested every future wearer will carry that cross.

"Time to debut a new 7. Because there's one that will be eternal," the national team wrote on social media on Saturday. The post included a goat emoji, shorthand for "Greatest Of All Time".

Federation statement

The federation said the move goes beyond a change to the shirt. "This is another way to immortalise the significance of such a special number and honour the legacy it represents for us," it said.

It added that Ronaldo and the number have become inseparable. "From today, we have a different number 7 on the shirt, with the same essence and the same pride. We are preserving the previous design to immortalise a story that will never be forgotten. Thank you, Cristiano!"

Ronaldo's record

Ronaldo's international career spanned 23 years and brought 146 goals, a men's all-time scoring record. He captained Portugal to their first major trophy at Euro 2016. He then added Nations League titles in 2019 and 2025.

His last appearance came on September 24, a 1-0 home win over Wales in the Nations League.

Tributes in Braga

Portugal planned to pay tribute to Ronaldo before and during the Denmark match. UEFA has reportedly allowed a standing ovation in the seventh minute, giving fans at the Estádio Municipal in Braga a chance to thank their former captain.

Forbs was due to be the only Portugal player in a No. 7 shirt that evening. Jesus now has to lead the team without Ronaldo.