UEFA’s official match listing shows Leão wearing No. 7 for the Group A4 fixture at Parken Stadium in Copenhagen. Leão previously wore No. 17 for Portugal, with that number now assigned to Fábio Silva.
The change comes less than 24 hours after Ronaldo announced his departure from Portugal’s training camp following a conversation with Portuguese Football Federation president Pedro Proença.
Ronaldo left after head coach Jorge Jesus said he was unlikely to start against Denmark. The 41-year-old had remained an unused substitute during Portugal’s 2–1 Nations League victory over Norway.
Ronaldo subsequently said he would reveal the reasons behind his departure “in due course”, while wishing Portugal and his teammates success.
The Portuguese Football Federation confirmed his departure and said preparations for the Denmark and Norway fixtures would continue with the remaining squad members.
The reassignment of the No. 7 shirt does not, by itself, confirm that Ronaldo's international career is over. UEFA Nations League regulations require players on the match sheet to be allocated shirt numbers from 1 to 23, meaning Portugal had to reassign the number following his withdrawal from the squad.
Leão now becomes the latest Portugal player to wear the famous number. Francisco Trincão, Pedro Neto and Gonçalo Guedes have also worn No. 7 for the national team when Ronaldo was absent.
Ronaldo inherited the shirt from Portugal legend Luís Figo and wore it throughout much of his international career.
• Portugal: Rafael Leão — No. 7 against Denmark
• Portugal: Fábio Silva — No. 17
• Absent: Cristiano Ronaldo
• Match: Denmark vs Portugal
• Competition: UEFA Nations League, Group A4
• Venue: Parken Stadium, Copenhagen