Portugal hand Ronaldo’s number seven to Rafael Leao after striker leaves camp

Portugal have assigned Cristiano Ronaldo’s number seven shirt to Rafael Leao for their Nations League match against Denmark, despite the captain leaving the squad on the eve of the game.

Portugal face Denmark in Copenhagen on Thursday evening in the third round of the Nations League group stage. The official squad list published by UEFA on the morning of the match confirmed that Leao will wear the number seven shirt at Parken Stadium.

Ronaldo left the Portugal camp angry after developments following a news conference held by manager Jorge Jesus. The player said he would explain the reasons for his departure “at the right time”.

Apart from Ronaldo’s absence, there were no other surprises in the matchday squad regarding players left out.

The Portuguese Football Federation’s decision to give Ronaldo’s shirt to Leao could be interpreted as a message that the national team will not depend on one player. The timing also drew attention, coming only hours after a brief statement from the federation that some observers viewed as a challenge to Ronaldo.

The statement said: “The Portuguese Football Federation announces that Ronaldo has left the national team camp, currently based in Copenhagen. Preparations for the two matches against Denmark and Norway will continue with the 24 remaining players in the squad. The technical and administrative staff remain fully focused on the national team’s upcoming commitments and on achieving the objectives that have been set.”

A different approach from Argentina

Portugal’s decision contrasts with the way Argentina have treated Lionel Messi’s number 10 shirt after the forward announced that his international career with the national team had ended.

Unlike Messi, Ronaldo has not announced his retirement from international football. Nevertheless, Portugal immediately gave his shirt to Leao for the first match after his departure from the camp.

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni took a different approach before a friendly against Bolivia. He said the number 10 shirt would remain unassigned until Messi’s farewell match against Benin, scheduled for next Tuesday, as a tribute to the player.

“Until Leo’s match, we will not give the number 10 to anyone. After that, we will see,” Scaloni said.

Argentina have therefore kept the shirt Messi wore for many years unused, at least until his farewell fixture. Portugal, by contrast, have handed Ronaldo’s number seven directly to Leao for the meeting with Denmark, even though the forward’s future with the national team has not been formally ended.