LUÍS FIGO ON CRISTIANO RONALDO AND PORTUGAL’S NO.7
“I remember Cristiano’s early years with Portugal. One day after training, some of the older players were talking while Cristiano was still outside, working with the ball.
I looked over and asked, ‘Does this boy ever go inside?’ Someone replied, ‘Leave him. He wants to become the best player in the world.’
I laughed. Cristiano heard us.
He came over and said, ‘Not just the best. I want to do something for Portugal that people will remember.’
I told him, ‘Then you’re going to suffer.’
He looked confused, so I said, ‘Playing for your country is different. When things are good, everyone belongs to you. When things are bad, you still have to come back. That’s the deal.’
He simply said, ‘I’ll always come back.’”
💔 More than 20 years later, Cristiano has left a Portugal camp — and almost immediately, his iconic No.7 has been given to Rafael Leão.
The number change is actually required by UEFA regulations for the matchday squad, so Leão wearing No.7 against Denmark is not necessarily a statement that Portugal has “replaced” Cristiano.
But emotionally, it is difficult to ignore what that shirt represents.
Cristiano inherited the No.7 from Figo and turned it into CR7, one of the most recognisable identities in football.
And that is why the way this chapter ends matters.
Portugal will continue without Cristiano. Of course it will.
But think about the 12-year-old Portuguese kid watching all of this.
Maybe Cristiano is the reason he started playing football. Maybe he has worn No.7 on every Portugal shirt he has ever owned.
One day, that boy could become Portugal’s next great player.
And when that day comes, Portugal will ask him for the same things it asked Cristiano:
Sacrifice for the shirt.
Come whenever you’re called.
Put the country before yourself.
Give everything for Portugal. 🇵🇹
But that kid may eventually ask:
“What happens when I’ve given Portugal everything?”