Portugal changes number 7 design in tribute to Ronaldo's legacy

The Portuguese Football Federation has taken a symbolic step to preserve the privacy of the number 7 associated with national team legend Cristiano Ronaldo, announcing a redesign of the number on the team's shirts to ensure that no other player wears the iconic version that has marked the Portuguese star throughout his international career.

For many years, Ronaldo has appeared in the Portugal shirt wearing the number 7 in its original design, which did not include any line passing through the number, making this shape part of his football identity with his national team.

After retiring from international play, the Portuguese Football Federation decided to modify the design of the number by adding a line that cuts through it, making the new design completely different from the version associated with Ronaldo. This way, the Portuguese star retains the uniqueness of the design that has become a hallmark of his career with the national team.

Carlos Forbs has taken the number 7 shirt following Ronaldo's retirement.

In his first appearance for Portugal following Ronaldo's announcement of his international retirement, Carlos Forbs received the number 7 shirt during the match against Denmark at the Estádio Municipal de Braga, in the fifth round of the UEFA Nations League.

This was not the first time Carlos Forbs wore the same number, as he previously donned it during his first international appearance, when he came on as a substitute for Bernardo Silva in the emphatic 9-1 victory over Armenia in November 2025, during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers, benefiting from Ronaldo's absence due to suspension.