What Will Happen to Cristiano Ronaldo’s No. 7? The FIFA Rule That Could Change Portugal’s Plans
Cristiano Ronaldo leaves Portugal’s No. 7 jersey vacant, but a FIFA rule could prevent the tribute many fans are hoping for. What will happen to the iconic number?
Cristiano Ronaldo announced his departure from the Portugal National Team with a message that also marks the end of an era: "The day has come to return the No. 7 jersey to our entire national team." After more than two decades, the number he turned into one of the defining symbols of his career is now vacant.
His decision raises a major question: Will Portugal retire the number as a tribute to its greatest legend, or will another player take it over? The answer involves a rule that has already complicated tributes to other historic figures in soccer.
FIFA’s Ban on Retiring the No. 7 Jersey
FIFA does not allow national teams to retire jersey numbers, meaning Portugal cannot permanently reserve the No. 7 jersey as a tribute to Cristiano Ronaldo. Although Paulo Futre suggested that the Portuguese Football Federation retire the number, regulations prevent such a move in official competitions.
According to Portuguese newspaper Record, national federations must submit a numbered squad list before each match. This means the jersey number must be assigned to another player in the squad. The same rule applies to official matches organized by FIFA.
This is not the first time such a situation has occurred. Argentina attempted to retire Diego Maradona’s No. 10 jersey in 2001, but the request was rejected, and Ariel Ortega went on to wear the iconic number at the 2002 World Cup. A similar situation occurred with Lionel Messi, as well as Marc-Vivien Foé’s No. 17 jersey for Cameroon. Clubs, however, are allowed to retire numbers in recognition of their legends.
The Search for a Successor to the No. 7
With the No. 7 jersey available, several Portuguese players have emerged as potential successors. Rafael Leão has an important precedent in his favor: he already wore the jersey during a Portugal international camp when Cristiano Ronaldo was absent, putting his name among the potential candidates.
Pedro Neto is another option. The forward currently wears No. 7 for Chelsea, while Gonçalo Guedes also wore the number during Portugal’s friendly matches against Mexico and the United States in March 2026.
Several other players wore the jersey during Ronaldo’s international career, including Nani, Ricardo Quaresma, Bruma, Ricardo Horta, and André Silva. However, this time the situation is different, as the number will become permanently available following the departure of its most iconic owner.
The Next Owner Will Have a Special Responsibility
Cristiano did not always wear the same number during his international career. He made his debut wearing No. 16, later switched to No. 17, and, following the 2006 World Cup and Luís Figo’s departure, began wearing No. 7 in 2007.
From that moment on, the number became closely associated with his name and one of the most recognizable jerseys in international soccer. Whoever receives it will have to face inevitable comparisons with a player who left a lasting mark on Portuguese soccer.
FIFA’s regulations have already determined the future of Portugal’s No. 7: it cannot be retired. The remaining question is who will wear it in the national team’s next chapter. Rafael Leão already knows what it feels like to wear the jersey, but its next permanent owner has yet to be revealed.
