New Delhi, Nov 15: Portugal’s national football team has introduced a special change to the way the No. 7 jersey is written as a tribute to Cristiano Ronaldo, ensuring that the legendary forward’s legacy remains attached to the iconic number even after his retirement from international football.

Ronaldo, who made the No. 7 synonymous with his identity through his famous ‘CR7’ brand, ended his international career on November 5 after a remarkable journey that included six World Cup appearances, a European Championship title and the record for the most goals in men’s international football.

“Time to debut a new 7. Because there’s one that will be eternal,” the Portuguese national team posted on social media on Saturday. The message was accompanied by a goat emoji, referring to Ronaldo’s status as the ‘Greatest Of All Time’.

The accompanying video showed a horizontal line crossing through the number 7, reflecting the way the digit is traditionally written in Europe. The symbolic design suggests that every Portuguese player who wears the number in the future will carry a reminder of Ronaldo’s extraordinary contribution to the national team.

Carlos Forbs became the first player to receive the No. 7 jersey following Ronaldo’s departure. However, he was not included in Portugal’s starting XI for Saturday’s Nations League fixture against Denmark, with the team having already secured qualification for the quarter-finals.

Portugal Players Pay Tribute To Cristiano Ronaldo’s Legacy

Ronaldo’s contribution to Portuguese football was also recognised before the Denmark match. All members of the Portugal squad, along with the children accompanying the players onto the pitch, wore jerseys bearing his iconic No. 7.

A large banner displaying the message “OBRIGADO CAPI7ÃO” (Thank you, Captain), with the number 7 replacing the letter ‘T’, was also unveiled. The banner featured images of Ronaldo celebrating, providing another tribute to the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.

Why Did Cristiano Ronaldo Retire From International Football?

The 41-year-old forward announced his departure from international football on November 5 following a disagreement with coach Jorge Jesus.

Ronaldo’s final appearance for Portugal came on September 24, when the team secured a 1-0 home victory over Wales in the Nations League. He was left on the bench for the subsequent match, while Jesus indicated that he did not intend to start the forward in the following fixture either.

The decision prompted Ronaldo to leave Portugal’s training camp, bringing an end to his international career.

Jesus later clarified that Ronaldo would be welcome to return to the national team, adding that the decision rested with the veteran forward.

Despite his departure, Portugal’s latest tribute underlines the lasting impact Ronaldo has had on the country’s football history. His No. 7 shirt is no longer just a squad number; it has become a symbol of one of the greatest careers in the international game.