Portugal have handed Carlos Forbs the No. 7 shirt for their first match since Cristiano Ronaldo retired from international football. The Club Brugge winger will wear his country’s most famous number against Denmark with just one senior cap to his name.
Forbs was listed as Portugal’s No. 7 on UEFA’s official match sheet ahead of Saturday’s Nations League fixture in Braga, on matchday five. Portuguese newspaper A Bola suggested the assignment is likely to be temporary while Rafael Leão is sidelined.
Leão wore the shirt against Denmark and Norway during the previous international break, before Ronaldo announced his retirement on November 5. A muscle injury he sustained with Galatasaray has ruled him out of the games against Denmark and Wales, but A Bola sees him as the frontrunner to wear the shirt long term.
Forbs also wore No. 7 on his only previous appearance for Portugal, against Armenia in November 2025, when Ronaldo was suspended. Roberto Martínez brought him on for Bernardo Silva in the 56th minute, and the winger won a penalty that Bruno Fernandes converted in a 9–1 victory that secured Portugal’s place at the 2026 World Cup.
The 22-year-old came through the academies at Sporting and Manchester City. He was named Premier League 2 Player of the Season after scoring 21 goals and supplying 11 assists in 2022–23. He then joined Ajax and spent time on loan at Wolverhampton Wanderers before signing for Club Brugge in the summer of 2025.
Forbs scored twice and set up Brugge’s other goal in their 3–3 Champions League draw with Barcelona last season. He has kept up that form this season with five goals and seven assists in 15 appearances across all competitions, including two goals in four Champions League games.
Every Portugal player will walk out in a No. 7 shirt before kick-off in Braga to honour Ronaldo, who ended his international career with 146 goals in 234 appearances. Once the match begins, Forbs will be the player officially wearing the number.
