Portugal is preparing an emotional farewell for Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of its UEFA Nations League encounter against Denmark on Saturday, following the forward’s decision to retire from international football.
The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) has organised a series of tributes to honour its all-time leading scorer, whose international career ranks among the most successful in the history of the national team.
According to football journalist Fabrizio Romano, the entire Portugal squad will walk onto the pitch at the Estádio Municipal de Braga wearing shirts bearing Ronaldo’s iconic number 7 ahead of the encounter.
The tribute will continue during the match, with supporters expected to honour the former captain with a symbolic gesture in the seventh minute.
Read Also: Cristiano Ronaldo ends Portugal career with 234 caps and 146 goals
UEFA has reportedly approved both arrangements, allowing fans inside the stadium to join in celebrating the 41-year-old’s contribution to Portuguese football.
The FPF has also decided to leave unoccupied the room Ronaldo traditionally used at Cidade do Futebol, the national team’s training headquarters, during the current international camp.
The farewell arrangements come after Ronaldo announced his retirement from international football on November 5, bringing an end to a career that began with his Portugal debut against Kazakhstan in August 2003.
His international departure followed a reported disagreement with Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus, which intensified during the team’s September training camp.
The dispute emerged after Jesus left Ronaldo on the bench throughout Portugal’s 2-1 Nations League victory over Norway. The coach subsequently indicated that the forward would not start the following match against Denmark, prompting Ronaldo to leave the national team’s training camp ahead of the encounter.
Ronaldo later cited broken promises from the coach as a reason behind his departure. Jesus, meanwhile, maintained that his decisions were made in the team’s best interests and said he had not expected the captain to retire, adding that he had intended to include him in his next squad.
Despite the disagreement, the Portuguese federation has emphasised Ronaldo’s immense contribution to the national team. Its president, Pedro Proença, previously described the forward’s legacy as deserving of a celebration and stressed that Portugal would always remain his home.
Ronaldo retires from international football with 234 appearances and 146 goals, holding the records for the most appearances and goals in men’s international football.
His achievements include leading Portugal to its historic Euro 2016 triumph and winning two UEFA Nations League titles in 2019 and 2025. He also represented his country at six FIFA World Cups, cementing his status as one of the greatest players in international football history.
Related News
Head of Sports at BusinessDay Media, a seasoned Digital Content Producer, and FIFA/CAF Accredited Journalist with over a decade of sports reporting.Has a deep understanding of the Nigerian and global sports landscape and skills in delivering comprehensive and insightful sports content.
Source: