Portugal give Ronaldo’s number seven to Rafael Leao after captain leaves camp

Portugal will not leave Cristiano Ronaldo’s number seven shirt vacant for their Nations League match against Denmark, with Rafael Leao selected to wear it after the captain left the squad.

Portugal face Denmark in Copenhagen on Thursday evening in the third round of the Nations League group stage. The official team list published by UEFA on the morning of the match confirmed that Leao would take Ronaldo’s shirt for the fixture at Parken.

Ronaldo left Portugal’s training camp in anger on the eve of the game, following developments after a press conference held by manager Jorge Jesus. The player said he would explain the reasons for his departure “at the appropriate time”.

There were no other surprises among the players absent from the matchday squad.

The Portuguese Football Federation’s decision to hand Ronaldo’s number to Leao so quickly may be interpreted as a message that the national team does not depend on one player. It came only hours after a brief statement from the federation also prompted debate among observers, some of whom viewed it 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 coaching and administrative staff remain fully focused on the national team’s upcoming commitments and on achieving the established objectives.”

Different approach from Argentina over Messi

Portugal’s decision contrasts with Argentina’s treatment of Lionel Messi’s number 10 shirt. While Ronaldo has not announced his retirement from international football, the Portuguese federation immediately gave his number to Leao for the team’s first match after his departure.

The Argentina national team, meanwhile, chose to preserve Messi’s shirt after he announced the end of his international career with the country.

Before Argentina’s friendly against Bolivia, manager Lionel Scaloni said the number 10 would remain unused until Messi’s farewell match against Benin, scheduled for next Tuesday. The decision was presented as a tribute to the player.

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

Argentina have therefore kept the shirt Messi wore for many years unavailable at least until his farewell fixture. Portugal have taken the opposite approach, assigning Ronaldo’s number seven directly to Leao for the first match after the Al Nassr player left the national team camp.