Rafael Leão Wears Ronaldo’s Iconic No. 7 and Reveals Why It Means So Much

Kathmandu, October 2, 2026

Leão Gets Portugal’s Famous No. 7

Portugal forward Rafael Leão wore Cristiano Ronaldo’s famous No. 7 shirt against Denmark at Parken Stadium in Copenhagen on October 1, after Ronaldo had left Portugal’s camp and was unavailable for the UEFA Nations League match. Leão started as Portugal secured a 4–2 victory, and afterward explained that wearing seven was meaningful because Ronaldo had been his idol since childhood and because the number also carries a special connection to his family.

Why No. 7 Means So Much to Leão

Speaking after the match, Leão explained that wearing seven for Portugal was a special experience.

He said Cristiano Ronaldo has been his idol since he was a child, making the opportunity to wear the number closely associated with Ronaldo particularly meaningful.

But Ronaldo is not Leão’s only connection to seven.

Leão revealed that his children were born on the seventh day of the month, giving the number an additional personal meaning. He said he therefore tried to represent the shirt with pride.

Has Leão Inherited Ronaldo’s No. 7?

Leão wearing No. 7 against Denmark does not mean the shirt has permanently passed from Ronaldo to him.

Leão normally wears No. 17 for Portugal, but Ronaldo was absent from the Denmark match. Under the competition's squad-number requirements, Portugal reassigned No. 7 for the match, with Leão receiving the famous shirt.

The moment was therefore a temporary number change rather than confirmation that Leão has become Portugal’s permanent new No. 7.

Who Is Rafael Leão?

Rafael Alexandre da Conceição Leão was born on June 10, 1999, in Almada, Portugal.

A product of Sporting CP’s youth system, Leão began his senior career in Portugal before joining Lille in France and later moving to AC Milan in 2019.

Italy became the stage where Leão developed into one of Portugal’s leading attacking players. He played a major role as Milan won the 2021–22 Serie A title and was named Serie A Most Valuable Player for that championship-winning season.

After seven years with Milan, Leão completed a move to Galatasaray in August 2026. The Turkish club officially announced that it would pay Milan a €38 million fixed transfer fee, with Leão signing a four-year contract.

From Watching Ronaldo to Playing Beside Him

Leão belongs to a generation of Portuguese footballers who grew up watching Cristiano Ronaldo become one of the biggest names in the sport.

But Leão’s story eventually moved from watching his idol to sharing the Portugal dressing room with him.

The two have represented Portugal together at major international tournaments, giving Leão the unusual experience of playing alongside the footballer he admired as a child.

Now, he has also experienced what it feels like to wear Ronaldo’s famous No. 7 for Portugal.

How Cristiano Ronaldo Became CR7

Cristiano Ronaldo was born on February 5, 1985, in Funchal, Madeira, and developed through Sporting CP before joining Manchester United in 2003.

At Manchester United, Ronaldo received a shirt already carrying enormous history: No. 7.

The number had previously been worn by celebrated United players including George Best, Bryan Robson, Eric Cantona and David Beckham. Ronaldo eventually added his own chapter to that tradition.

His initials and shirt number eventually combined to create one of football’s most recognizable identities:

CR7.

Ronaldo’s Record-Breaking Career

Ronaldo went from Manchester United to Real Madrid in 2009, where he produced some of the most remarkable numbers of his career.

He scored 451 goals in 438 competitive appearances for Real Madrid, making him the club’s all-time leading scorer. During his nine seasons in Madrid, he helped the club win four UEFA Champions League titles.

His career later took him to Juventus, back to Manchester United and then to Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia.

Ronaldo has also won the Ballon d’Or five times, placing him among the most decorated individual players in football history.

Ronaldo’s Portugal Legacy

Ronaldo made his senior international debut for Portugal in 2003.

More than two decades later, he has become the record appearance-maker and record goalscorer in men's international football.

UEFA listed Ronaldo with 234 Portugal appearances and 146 international goals in its September 29, 2026 update.

His international career also includes Portugal’s historic triumph at UEFA Euro 2016, the country's first major senior international title.

The Legacy of Portugal’s No. 7

Portugal’s No. 7 did not begin with Ronaldo.

Before the CR7 era, legendary Portuguese winger Luís Figo was among the major names associated with the shirt.

But Ronaldo’s extraordinary longevity, goals, trophies and global popularity transformed the number's identity.

For an entire generation of supporters, Portugal No. 7 became Cristiano Ronaldo.

It is why another Portuguese star wearing the number—even for a single match—can attract global attention.

From Idol to No. 7

For Leão, the Denmark match brought several parts of his story together.

He grew up admiring Ronaldo. He eventually became Ronaldo’s teammate. And on October 1, he walked onto the field for Portugal wearing the same No. 7 shirt made famous by his childhood idol.

The number also carries a completely separate meaning in his personal life because of his children's birth dates.

Leão has not been confirmed as Ronaldo’s permanent successor in Portugal’s No. 7 shirt. But for one night in Copenhagen, he had the opportunity to represent a number that already meant something to him long before he put it on.