Rafael Leão has been handed Portugal’s iconic No. 7 shirt following Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure from the national team camp.
UEFA confirmed that Leão will wear the number in Portugal’s next two UEFA Nations League matches against Denmark and Norway.
The Galatasaray forward, who normally wears No. 17 for the Seleção, has been listed as No. 7 on the official squad sheet for Thursday’s clash with Denmark in Copenhagen and Sunday’s home encounter against Norway.
As reported by a football transfer expert on Thursday, “UEFA confirm Rafael Leão has been listed as Portugal No7 for the next two games following Cristiano leaving.”
Leão’s former No. 17 shirt has meanwhile been assigned to new call-up Fábio Silva.
The temporary change is due to UEFA Nations League regulations requiring the 23-player matchday squad to wear consecutive shirt numbers from 1 to 23 without gaps.
Ronaldo left the Portugal camp on Wednesday after he was an unused substitute during the team’s 2-1 victory over Norway on Sunday.
The 41-year-old had started Portugal’s previous match, a 1-0 win over Wales, which also marked Jorge Jesus’s first game in charge of the national team.
Portugal currently sit top of Group A4 after recording two victories. They travel to Parken Stadium for the Denmark fixture before hosting Norway at Estádio do Dragão on Sunday.
