Portugal plan special tribute to Cristiano Ronaldo after retirement

Portugal are preparing a special farewell tribute to Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of their UEFA Nations League encounter against Denmark, following the forward’s decision to retire from international football.

As part of the planned gesture, every player in the Portuguese squad is expected to wear the iconic No. 7 jersey during the team’s first match since Ronaldo announced his retirement from the national side.

According to Portuguese newspaper A Bola, the tribute will take place at the Estádio Municipal de Braga. The players are expected to wear Ronaldo’s famous shirt number as they walk onto the pitch and during the national anthems.

The initiative was reportedly agreed upon during a meeting on Thursday involving Portuguese Football Federation president Pedro Proença, head coach Jorge Jesus and the team’s three captains: Bernardo Silva, Rúben Dias and Bruno Fernandes.

UEFA has also reportedly approved a special moment in the seventh minute of the match, when supporters are expected to stand and applaud Ronaldo in recognition of his contributions to the national team.

Portugal’s plans reportedly extend beyond the match itself. Ronaldo’s regular room at the Casa dos Atletas residence inside Cidade do Futebol has been kept vacant throughout the current international camp as a mark of respect for the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.

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The 41-year-old announced his international retirement on November 5 through a five-minute video posted on Instagram, ending his 23-year career with Portugal. In his farewell message, he said: “To the Portuguese people, the day has come for me to hand back the No. 7 shirt of our national team.” Ronaldo finished with 234 appearances and 146 goals, becoming men’s international football’s most-capped player and highest goalscorer. He also captained Portugal to the 2016 European Championship, the 2019 UEFA Nations League and the 2025 Nations League title.