Entire Portugal Team Wears No. 7 Jersey to Honor Retired Captain
Portugal’s national football team walked onto the pitch at the Estadio Municipal de Braga in identical No. 7 jerseys on Saturday, November 14, 2026, ahead of their UEFA Nations League fixture against Denmark. International players, coaching staff, and youth mascots united in the pre-match demonstration to honor former captain Cristiano Ronaldo following his departure from international football.
Federation Organised Ceremonial Tribute Following UEFA Approval
Every starting player and squad member entered the field wearing Ronaldo’s signature number before the League A, Group 4 match. The young mascots accompanying the teams onto the pitch also wore No. 7 shirts. The initiative was developed through discussions between Portuguese Football Federation president Pedro Proenca, national team coach Jorge Jesus, and senior players Bernardo Silva, Rúben Dias, and Bruno Fernandes, with official approval granted by UEFA.
Supporters inside the Estadio Municipal de Braga joined the homage by staging a standing ovation during the seventh minute of play. Off the pitch, the Portuguese Football Federation left Ronaldo’s customary room at the national team’s training headquarters unoccupied throughout the international camp.
Match play marked the formal start of Portugal’s new tactical era. Midfielder Bernardo Silva assumed the captaincy, while Club Brugge winger Carlos Forbs was assigned the No. 7 jersey for the match itself.
The ceremonial farewell took place nine days after Ronaldo officially announced his retirement from international football on November 5, 2026. The 41-year-old forward ended his 23-year international career with 234 appearances and 146 goals, having captained Portugal to titles at Euro 2016 as well as the UEFA Nations League in 2019 and 2025.
