Ronaldo shock exit sees Rafael Leao inherit Portugal’s No. 7 shirt for the Nations League clash with Denmark in Copenhagen

Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo’s shock exit from the national team camp in Copenhagen on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, has led to Rafael Leao taking the veteran forward’s iconic No. 7 shirt for Thursday’s UEFA Nations League meeting with Denmark.

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The 27-year-old Galatasaray winger, who previously wore No. 17 for Portugal, was listed as No. 7 in the revised squad published ahead of the match at Parken Stadium. UEFA’s match listing confirms the change.

The alteration follows Ronaldo’s unexpected departure from Portugal’s training camp after a conversation with Portuguese Football Federation president Pedro Proença.

Ronaldo announced the decision on social media, saying: “In time, I will tell all the Portuguese the truth about the reasons that motivated me to leave the national team, to which I always devoted myself.”

The circumstances surrounding the departure emerged after Ronaldo was left on the bench throughout Portugal’s 2-1 Nations League victory over Norway in Oslo on Sunday.

Ronaldo had warmed up during the match but was not introduced, marking the first time in 18 years that he had remained an unused substitute for Portugal, according to reports.

Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus subsequently rejected suggestions of a serious dispute between the pair.

“There was no incident whatsoever,” Jesus told reporters on Wednesday, while acknowledging that Ronaldo was understandably disappointed after spending time warming up without entering the game.

Jesus also explained that he had told Ronaldo before the Norway match that he would not start but could be introduced later.

The coach ultimately decided not to use him, saying the decision was based on the needs of the game.

Ronaldo’s departure has nevertheless created a striking moment for Portuguese football, with Leao now wearing a number that has been closely associated with the 41-year-old since he established himself as Portugal’s No. 7.

The change is also partly dictated by competition regulations. Nations League squads for individual matches must carry shirt numbers from 1 to 23, meaning Portugal could not simply leave the No. 7 position vacant after Ronaldo’s withdrawal.

Leao had worn No. 17 during Portugal’s earlier Nations League fixtures. That number has now been reassigned to Fabio Silva for the Denmark match.

The timing gives the shirt change added significance. Ronaldo remains Portugal’s record international goalscorer and most-capped player, with 146 goals in 234 appearances, after more than two decades with the national side.

Ronaldo’s shock exit has also raised fresh questions about his international future.

The forward had continued playing for Portugal after the 2026 World Cup and had previously indicated that he would decide when the time was right to end his international career.

For now, Portugal must prepare for Denmark without their captain as Jorge Jesus begins another phase of his tenure.

Portugal enter the Copenhagen fixture with six points from their opening two Group A4 matches, following victories over Wales and Norway.

Denmark, meanwhile, are also involved in the early battle for position in the group.

For Leao, the immediate task is more straightforward: step into the No. 7 shirt for Portugal and help the team maintain its strong start to the Nations League campaign.

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The circumstances make it an unusually significant moment for the Galatasaray forward, even if the reassignment itself is a practical consequence of Ronaldo’s absence.