Rafael Leao takes Portugal’s number seven shirt after Cristiano Ronaldo departure

Rafael Leao has been given Portugal’s number seven shirt after Cristiano Ronaldo left the national team’s training camp in recent days.

The number, worn by Ronaldo for many years and closely associated with the captain, appeared next to Leao’s name in Portugal’s updated squad list for their Nations League match against Denmark in Copenhagen on Wednesday evening.

The list was published by UEFA ahead of the fixture, confirming that the Galatasaray striker will wear the famous shirt as Portugal begin a new phase following Ronaldo’s departure.

Ronaldo, 41, announced on his social media accounts that he had left the Portugal camp. He said he would later explain the reasons behind his decision.

“At the right time, I will tell everyone the truth about the reasons that led me to leave the national team,” Ronaldo said.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner had missed Portugal’s training session for a third successive day, despite head coach Jorge Jesus confirming only minutes before his departure that Ronaldo would take part.

His absence from Wednesday’s session created a fresh development in the situation, particularly because it followed Jesus’s confirmation that the forward was expected to train. Portugal have not yet issued an official explanation for Ronaldo’s failure to attend.

Portugal currently top Group D in the Nations League after winning their opening two matches against Wales and Norway. Their meeting with Denmark will be the first test of the team with Leao wearing number seven since Ronaldo’s departure.

Portuguese FA president changes plans

The continuing uncertainty around Ronaldo also prompted Portuguese Football Federation president Pedro Proenca to change his schedule and join the senior team’s camp.

Proenca abandoned plans to attend Portugal Under-21s’ match and returned to Denmark, where he held an urgent meeting with Jesus and Ronaldo.

The meeting took place on Wednesday morning at the Portugal team’s hotel in Malmo. It was described as having been held in a calm and friendly atmosphere.

Joao Felix was the main new presence at Portugal’s training session on the eve of the Denmark match.

Jesus also confirmed that Francisco Conceicao would miss the game.

Portugal’s fixture against Denmark in Copenhagen is their third match of the Nations League campaign and comes as the team adjusts to Ronaldo’s absence and the arrival of a new holder of the number seven shirt.