Rafael Leão will wear Portugal’s iconic No. 7 shirt in the team’s next two UEFA Nations League matches following Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure from the squad.
Leão, who normally wears No. 17 for Portugal, has been listed as No. 7 for Thursday’s clash with Denmark in Copenhagen and Sunday’s home fixture against Norway.
The change was confirmed by UEFA and is linked to regulations governing Nations League squad numbers. The rules require the 23-player matchday squad to use consecutive numbers from 1 to 23 without gaps.
New call-up Fábio Silva has consequently been assigned Leão’s usual No. 17 shirt.
Football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reported on Thursday, “UEFA confirm Rafael Leão has been listed as Portugal No7 for the next two games following Cristiano leaving.”
Ronaldo left the Portugal camp on Wednesday after he was an unused substitute in the team’s 2-1 victory over Norway on Sunday.
The 41-year-old forward had started Portugal’s previous match, a 1-0 win over Wales which marked Jorge Jesus’s first game as national team coach.
Portugal lead Group A4 after winning their opening two matches. They face Denmark at Parken Stadium on Thursday before hosting Norway at Estádio do Dragão on Sunday.
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