Cristiano Ronaldo’s No. 7 shirt has become the centre of a growing controversy in Portugal after the iconic number was reportedly handed to Rafael Leao for the national team’s upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures against Denmark and Norway, prompting a furious reaction from British broadcaster Piers Morgan.
Morgan criticised the Portuguese Football Federation over the decision, arguing that Ronaldo’s contribution to the national team deserved greater recognition. The controversy comes after Ronaldo’s abrupt departure from the Portugal camp following Sunday’s match against Norway, in which he was left on the bench as an unused substitute by head coach Jorge Jesus.
Writing on X, Morgan described the reported decision as “disgusting” and “shameful”. He also pointed to Ronaldo’s long history with the national team and his personal connection to representing Portugal.
“Disgusting, if true. After everything @Cristiano has done for Portugal, why the hell are they treating him like this?” Morgan wrote. “Yesterday was his father’s birthday, and he played for his country the day after his dad died. Shameful to see this shocking disrespect for their greatest player.”
Ronaldo has worn the No. 7 shirt for much of his international career, turning the number into one of the most recognisable symbols associated with his time in Portuguese football. His status as Portugal’s all-time leading scorer has also made any decision involving his role with the national side particularly sensitive among supporters.
Leao, meanwhile, has responded differently to the attention surrounding the shirt. The AC Milan winger expressed pride at taking on the number and identified Ronaldo as one of his biggest footballing influences. Rather than presenting the change as a rejection of his senior compatriot, Leao’s comments reflected the admiration he has expressed for Ronaldo’s career.
The dispute comes at a delicate moment for Portugal, with attention now focused not only on the team’s upcoming Nations League fixtures but also on the circumstances surrounding Ronaldo’s departure from the camp. His absence and the decision to give his familiar shirt number to another player have added another layer to the discussion over his relationship with the national team.
For Portugal, the immediate priority remains its competitive schedule, but the treatment of Ronaldo has become a major talking point around the squad. Morgan’s comments have amplified that debate, while Leao’s reaction has highlighted the complicated position of a younger player receiving a shirt that has been closely identified with one of the country’s greatest footballers.
The episode illustrates how deeply Ronaldo’s legacy remains tied to Portugal’s national team. Even a change as simple as a squad number can carry considerable meaning when it involves a player who has spent years wearing it on the international stage.
