Portugal Honors Cristiano Ronaldo With Number 7 Tribute During Nations League Match

Portugal held a special tribute for Cristiano Ronaldo during a Nations League match against Denmark on Saturday, November 15, 2026. The match, held at the Municipal Stadium of Braga, saw the Portuguese squad honor the veteran striker who announced his retirement from the national team on November 5, 2026. To mark the occasion, all Portuguese players wore the number 7 jersey during the match.

The tribute included a symbolic ovation from fans at the 7th minute of the match. Prior to the match, several officials and players met on Thursday to coordinate the ceremony. The meeting included Portuguese Football Federation President Pedro Proença, coach Jorge Jesus, and players Bernardo Silva, Rúben Dias, and Bruno Fernandes. According to reports, Jorge Jesus stated that the tribute is a brilliant idea to honor a legend and not forget his 23 years with the team.

A Legacy of International Success

The tribute celebrates a career that spanned 23 years, during which Cristiano Ronaldo played 234 matches and scored 146 goals for his country. His international tenure included significant achievements, such as winning the Eurocup in 2016 and the Nations League in both 2019 and 2025. Following the retirement of Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes assumed the captaincy of the Portuguese national team.

The Portuguese Football Federation has also made permanent changes to honor the former striker. Officials said the federation decided to keep room 20, which was previously used by Cristiano Ronaldo at the Cidade do Futebol, vacant. While FIFA and UEFA rules prevent a national team from retiring a jersey number permanently during official competitions, the decision to have all players wear the number 7 for this match served as a significant mark of respect.

Group Standings and Future Matches

Portugal entered the match at the Municipal Stadium of Braga as the leader of Group A4 with 12 points. Denmark competed with 6 points in the group standings. Other teams in Group A4 include Wales and Norway, both of which hold 3 points.

Looking forward, the team will continue its campaign with specific roster considerations. Reports indicated that Carlos Forbs, a 22-year-old player for Brunas of Belgium, has been selected to wear the number 7 in the next two matches. This selection follows the recent transition in the squad leadership and the retirement of the long-time striker.

Glossary

• Nations League — The Nations League is a football competition. It is a tournament that teams participate in, such as the matches played by Portugal and Denmark.
• Portuguese Football Federation — The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) is the governing body of football in Portugal. It oversees all aspects of the game in the country, including professional and amateur football.
• Eurocup — The Eurocup is a continental basketball competition. It is a tournament that various Spanish clubs have won over the years.
• Cidade do Futebol — Cidade do Futebol is the headquarters of the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF). It serves as the primary training ground for the Portugal national team.