Rafael Leão has spoken about the special emotions accompanying his decision to don the iconic No. 7 shirt for Portugal, following Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure from the national team camp.
The winger wore the famous squad number during Portugal’s 4–2 victory over Denmark, marking the Seleção’s first fixture since the forward was omitted from Jorge Jesus’ squad.
“Wearing the No. 7 shirt was extremely special for me because Cristiano has been my idol since childhood,” Leão stated following the match.
The player revealed that the digit holds personal significance beyond his footballing inspiration: “My children were born on the 7th, so wearing it brought me immense joy.”
“I tried to respect this number and this shirt,” Leão added, framing his performance alongside a victory that preserved Portugal’s perfect record in the UEFA Nations League.
The winger steered clear of the ongoing media storm surrounding Ronaldo, emphasizing that the situation remains outside the squad’s domain and asserting that the national team captain would be pleased with his teammates’ display against Denmark.
Leão wearing the No. 7 shirt does not guarantee it as a permanent assignment, as Ronaldo’s squad exit necessitated a temporary reallocation under tournament regulations, with the shirt’s long-term future tied to how matters resolve following Portugal’s upcoming clash with Norway.
