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Angel Todorov
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Cristiano Ronaldo leaves Portugal, Leao becomes the new number 7
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Dramatic moments in the Portuguese national team during the current international break.

Cristiano Ronaldo left Portugal’s training camp yesterday ahead of the Nations League game vs. Denmark, but the number 7 shirt won’t be left vacant. In today’s match in Copenhagen, Rafael Leao will wear it, the forward who moved from AC Milan to Galatasaray a few months ago.

The Nations League rules state that footballers on the team sheet must wear numbers 1 to 23. That is why Portugal had no choice but to give Cristiano’s number 7 shirt. Besides the Portuguese superstar, Francisco Conceicao is also out against Denmark with a thigh injury.

The row over Cristiano’s departure has hit Selecao: Portugal’s official profile is said to have lost half a million followers in several hours. Portuguese supporters, however, think Ronaldo himself is to blame for the drama. A poll in the most popular sports newspaper shows that around 80% of the people blame Cristiano for the situation.

The drama is set to continue, as rumors are that Cristiano was promised and guaranteed greater respect in the national team until 2027 to convince him to return, and now the country’s minister has asked for a meeting with manager Jorge Jesus to discuss the situation.