Portugal’s iconic No. 7 blouse has been passed to Rafael Leão following Cristiano Ronaldo’s dramatic departure from the nationwide workforce camp.
UEFA’s present participant profile for the Galatasaray winger lists him as Portugal’s No. 7, marking an important exchange after Ronaldo wore the quantity for just about twenty years.
The exchange comes as Portugal get ready for his or her UEFA Countries League assembly with Denmark with out Ronaldo.
The 41-year-old ahead left the squad after a number of turbulent days surrounding his function beneath head trainer Jorge Jesus. The Portuguese Soccer Federation showed that arrangements would proceed with the remainder gamers.
Alternatively, the exchange of blouse quantity does no longer on its own imply Ronaldo has retired from world soccer.
Ronaldo showed his resolution to depart the camp however didn’t officially announce the top of his Portugal profession. Portuguese newspaper O Jogo later reported that his resolution to not constitute the nationwide workforce once more used to be ultimate and irreversible.
Leão up to now wore No. 17 for Portugal, together with all over the 2026 Global Cup, whilst Ronaldo had turn into synonymous with the No. 7 blouse.
The newest exchange is subsequently probably the most clearest indicators of a imaginable new generation for Portugal, even though Ronaldo’s world long term has no longer been officially showed by way of the participant.
Leão has additionally begun a brand new bankruptcy at membership degree after becoming a member of Galatasaray from AC Milan on August 30.
The Turkish membership finished the switch for a hard and fast charge of €38 million and passed the Portuguese winger a four-year contract.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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