Portugal Honors Cristiano Ronaldo in Nations League Match Against Denmark
Tribute to a Football Legend
On Saturday, Portugal will pay homage to football icon Cristiano Ronaldo during their Nations League match against Denmark at the Estadio Municipal de Braga. This event marks the team's first game since Ronaldo announced his retirement from international play on November 5.
As reported by World Soccer Talk, all Portuguese players will don the No. 7 jersey, a number that has become synonymous with Ronaldo throughout his illustrious 23-year career with the national team. However, it remains uncertain if Ronaldo will be in attendance for this special occasion.
The tribute was confirmed following a meeting on Thursday that included key figures such as Pedro Proenca, president of the Portuguese Football Federation, head coach Jorge Jesus, and team captains Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias, and Bruno Fernandes.
In a heartfelt gesture, the match will pause in the seventh minute to allow fans to give Ronaldo a standing ovation, recognizing his immense contributions to Portuguese football. This plan has received the green light from UEFA.
Ronaldo's No. 7 jersey has become a symbol of his international legacy, representing Portugal for over two decades. This tribute provides an opportunity for the national team and its supporters to honor his remarkable journey as he steps away from international football.
During a press conference before the match, coach Jorge Jesus clarified that the tribute was not initiated by him or his staff. He stated, "Such decisions are always the responsibility of the Portuguese Football Federation, particularly its football and sporting departments and its president," as noted by World Soccer Talk.
Jesus praised Ronaldo, emphasizing that his impact on the nation and the sport is unforgettable. "It is brilliant because nobody can forget the 23 years Cris spent with the national team, what he achieved for Portugal, and the impact he has had on the world of football."
Cristiano Ronaldo, who has scored 985 professional goals, concluded his international career with 146 goals in 234 matches for Portugal, holding records for both most appearances and goals in men's international football. His journey began on August 20, 2003, with a debut against Kazakhstan and ended on September 24, 2026. He is Portugal's top scorer in World Cup history with 11 goals across 27 appearances and holds the record for 14 goals in European Championship tournaments.
Ronaldo has scored against 49 different national teams, with Luxembourg being the most frequent target, conceding 11 goals to him, followed by Hungary with nine. His international achievements also include 10 hat-tricks and 22 penalties scored for Portugal, with 124 goals in competitive matches, excluding friendlies.
He is the only player to have scored in six different men's World Cups, achieving goals in Germany (2006), South Africa (2010), Brazil (2014), Russia (2018), Qatar (2022), and the upcoming 2026 edition. His total of 25 goals in both the European Championship and FIFA World Cup further cements his legacy on the international stage. Despite facing challenges in major tournaments, his crowning achievement came at Euro 2016 in France, followed by two UEFA Nations League titles in 2019 and 2025.