Portugal are preparing to honour Cristiano Ronaldo in their first match since he retired from international football. His former teammates have chosen the shirt number that became synonymous with him over two decades to give him a send-off in front of the fans.
The tribute will take place on Saturday evening, 14 November, at the Estádio Municipal de Braga, where Jorge Jesus’s side host Denmark on Matchday 5 of the Nations League. It comes nine days after Ronaldo announced the end of his international career.
According to A Bola, every Portugal player will walk out wearing the No. 7 shirt before switching back to their usual numbers for kick-off.
Play will briefly stop in the seventh minute so fans can pay tribute to Ronaldo from the stands. UEFA has approved both the pre-match tribute and the pause during the game.
The idea came out of a meeting between Portuguese Football Federation president Pedro Proença, Jorge Jesus and three players, Bernardo Silva, Rúben Dias and Bruno Fernandes. The federation also decided to leave room 201, where Ronaldo usually stayed, vacant for the first training camp since his retirement.
“The day has come to give the No. 7 shirt back to the national team we all share. I never felt it was mine alone,” Ronaldo said in his retirement message. According to A Bola, he wore the number, previously associated with Luís Figo, in 202 international appearances.
Ronaldo retired from international football at 41, having scored 146 goals in 234 appearances since making his debut in August 2003. He captained Portugal to the Euro 2016 title and Nations League triumphs in 2019 and 2025. Bernardo Silva succeeds him as captain.
Portugal have already qualified for the quarter-finals with four straight wins, including a 4–2 victory over Denmark in Copenhagen. A draw in Braga would secure top spot before their final group match against Wales.
