For more than two decades, the No.7 shirt has been closely associated with Ronaldo and his career with Portugal. His absence has therefore created a small but highly symbolic change ahead of the meeting with Denmark.

Rafael Leão is the player chosen to wear it. The winger appears as Portugal’s No.7 on the official squad list for the match, while Gonçalo Ramos retains the No.9 shirt and João Félix wears 11.

The number itself does not mean Leão is guaranteed to start. It is simply the shirt assigned to him for the fixture, although the timing inevitably gives the decision added significance.

A very different kind of No.7

Leão brings a completely different profile to Portugal’s attack. His game is built around pace, direct running and one-on-one situations from wide areas rather than operating as a central goalscorer.

That makes the image particularly striking. Portugal will face Denmark without Cristiano Ronaldo, but the famous No.7 shirt could still be on the pitch if Leão is involved.

For Portugal, it is only a shirt number. But after a week dominated by questions surrounding Ronaldo’s future with the national team, it is also one of the clearest signs that things are beginning to look different.