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ISTANBUL: Portugal have redesigned their iconic No. 7 jersey to honour Cristiano Ronaldo following his retirement from international football.
The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) said on Saturday that the new design, featuring a horizontal stroke through the number seven, debuted in Portugal’s UEFA Nations League match against Denmark in Braga — the team’s first game since Ronaldo retired.
“From today onwards, we will have a different number seven on the jersey, but with the same essence and the same pride, reserving the previous one for the immortalisation of a story that will never be forgotten,” the FPF said in a statement.
The federation said the change preserves the original design associated with Ronaldo’s international career while allowing future players to wear the number, as FIFA and UEFA squad-numbering regulations prohibit national teams from permanently retiring shirt numbers.
Ronaldo, 41, announced his international retirement on Nov 5 after a 23-year career.
He finished as the most-capped player and leading goalscorer in men’s international football with 234 appearances and 146 goals. — BERNAMA