Portugal will not reserve Cristiano Ronaldo’s number seven after the forward’s departure from the squad, with Rafael Leao named to wear it against Denmark in the Nations League on Thursday.
The decision was confirmed in the official team list published by UEFA on the day of the Group A3 fixture. Leao will take Ronaldo’s shirt for Portugal’s meeting with Denmark at Parken in Copenhagen, where the hosts face the European champions in the third round of the group stage.
Ronaldo left Portugal’s training camp on the eve of the match after becoming angry over developments following a press conference held by manager Jorge Jesus. The player said he would explain the reasons for his departure “at the right time”.
Apart from Ronaldo’s absence, there were no other surprises among the players left out of the matchday squad.
The Portuguese Football Federation had already issued a brief statement on Wednesday evening, confirming that Ronaldo had left the camp in Copenhagen.
“ 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.”
The decision to give Ronaldo’s shirt to Leao so quickly has been interpreted by some followers as a possible message that Portugal will not depend on one player. The timing also came only hours after the federation’s statement, which was similarly viewed by some as a challenge to the former captain.
Different approach to Argentina and Messi
Portugal’s decision contrasts with the way Argentina dealt with Lionel Messi’s number 10 after he announced the end of his international career.
Although Ronaldo has left the Saudi Al Nassr player’s international future unclear and has not announced his retirement from Portugal duty, the Argentine Football Association kept Messi’s shirt unassigned after he confirmed he had ended his time with the national team.
Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni said before a friendly against Bolivia that the number 10 would remain unused until Messi’s farewell match against Benin next Tuesday.
“Until Leo’s match, we will not give the number 10 to anyone. After that, we will see,” Scaloni said.
Argentina have therefore retained the shirt Messi wore for years, at least until his farewell game. Portugal, by contrast, have immediately handed Ronaldo’s number seven to Leao for their first fixture since the forward left the national-team camp.
