Leão Takes Portugal No. 7 After Ronaldo Exit

Rafael Leão will wear Portugal’s No. 7 shirt for the team’s next two UEFA Nations League matches after Cristiano Ronaldo left the national squad, UEFA has confirmed.

Leão, a Galatasaray forward who usually wears No. 17 for Portugal, is listed as No. 7 on the official squad sheet for Thursday’s game against Denmark in Copenhagen and Sunday’s home fixture against Norway. A football transfer expert reported Thursday that UEFA had confirmed Leão as Portugal’s No. 7 for both matches following Ronaldo’s departure.

New call-up Fábio Silva has been given Leão’s previous number. The switch is required under UEFA Nations League rules, which state that a 23-player matchday squad must use consecutive numbers from 1 to 23 without any gaps.

Ronaldo left the Portugal camp on Wednesday after being an unused substitute in Sunday’s 2-1 win over Norway. The 41-year-old had started Portugal’s previous match, a 1-0 victory over Wales that was Jorge Jesus’s first game in charge.

Portugal lead Group A4 after two wins and travel to Parken Stadium for Thursday’s match before hosting Norway at Estádio do Dragão on Sunday.

Related coverage has focused on Ronaldo’s exit, Jorge Jesus’s explanation of the situation, Arsène Wenger’s list of Arsenal transfer misses, and reports on why Ronaldo left the Portugal camp.