Portugal to introduce unique number 7 jersey design to honour Cristiano Ronaldo

The Portugal Football Association has announced that a unique graphic design will be introduced for the number 7 jersey to honour the career of Cristiano Ronaldo. This design change is scheduled to be implemented starting Saturday, November 15, 2026. The decision comes following the retirement of Ronaldo from international football earlier in November 2026, marking the end of an era for the national team.

The new design is intended to serve as a tribute to the legacy of Ronaldo, who remains the most significant figure in the history of the squad. According to the Portugal Football Association, the design change aims to immortalize the meaning of the number and honour Ronaldo's legacy. Reports indicate that the new design includes a small cross to distinguish the number from previous versions, serving as a way to draw a line after Ronaldo's career.

Background and Regulations

The decision to alter the kit design rather than retiring the shirt number is a direct response to international governing body rules. FIFA regulations require sequential numbering for squad members, which prevents national teams from officially retiring jersey numbers. This constraint means that even after the departure of a legendary figure, the number must remain available for use within the squad.

Cristiano Ronaldo's impact on the Portugal national team is quantifiable through his extraordinary statistical record. He has made 234 appearances for the country and has scored 146 goals, making him the team's leading goalscorer and most capped player. While the squad's manager, Jorge Jesus, stated he does not feel guilty regarding Ronaldo's retirement, the transition remains a significant moment for the team.

What comes next

Portugal's next fixture is a Nations League match against Denmark. This match will be part of the 5th round of the competition. The squad is currently operating under the standard FIFA squad size limit of 26 players for national team competitions.

As the team moves forward, the question of who will wear the iconic shirt remains a topic of interest. In the previous match against Denmark, Rafael Leão wore the number 7. However, for the upcoming match, Carlos Forbs of Club Brugge is expected to wear the number 7 under the new design. At this stage, a permanent successor to Ronaldo's number has not been officially announced by the association.

The Nations League continues to be a vital competition for European sides, and Portugal's ability to transition their identity following the departure of such a prolific scorer will be closely watched as they face Denmark in this upcoming round.