Cristiano Ronaldo blow as Portugal take immediate action with new No.7 named after walk-out

Cristiano Ronaldo blow as Portugal take immediate action with new No.7 named after walk-out

Cristiano Ronaldo walked out of the Portugal training camp ahead of the Nations League clash with Denmark.

Portugal have taken immediate action by handing Cristiano Ronaldo's No.7 shirt to another player after he walked out on the national team.

Ronaldo has decided to head home after a falling out with Jorge Jesus which stemmed from the five-time Ballon d'Or winner being an unused substitute and storming down the tunnel against Norway.

The Al Nassr star skipped training ahead of the Nations League clash with Denmark but an emergency meeting with Jesus and the Portugal Football Federation Pedro Proenca was said to have improved the situation.

READ NEXT: What happened behind closed doors before 'betrayed' Cristiano Ronaldo walked out on Portugal

However, after Jesus spoke about no player being given than the team in a defiant press conference, Ronaldo left the camp and his international future is in major doubt.

Portugal will take on Denmark in Copenhagen and will do so without their captain and record goalscorer.

However, his coveted No.7 shirt will still be used. The UEFA website has published Portugal's squad for the clash and AC Milan star Rafael Leao is listed as the No.7 for the fixture.

The iconic number is associated with Ronaldo, who inherited from Luis Figo in the national team.

READ MORE: Crazy Cristiano Ronaldo theory proven correct after Al-Nassr star storms out on Portugal

Francisco Trincao and Pedro Neto and Goncalo Guedes have all worn the No.7 when Ronaldo was unavailable but it is the first time for Leao.

Unlike with squad numbers at club level, the number can be freely allocated and Portugal have done so with Ronaldo not in the squad.

It has been reported, courtesy of one of Ronaldo's close friends in the media, that he feels "betrayed" as he deems Jesus to have gone back on promises made to him.

Ed Aguirre of El Chiringuito claims Jesus had offered to apologise publicly to Ronaldo in his press conference following their discussion but he did the opposite and spoke about how no player was bigger than the team and that the former Manchester United and Real Madrid star would not be treated differently.

Ronaldo could be set for a six-month ban for his conduct as per PFF rules, but his sister has hinted that he has played his final game for his country.

The No.7 shirt has been instated elsewhere and FIFA rules do not allow a number to be retired by a national team.

Regulations stipulate that every consecutive number between 1-26 must be made available. Liberia did briefly retire the No.14 shirt worn by Ballon d'Or winner George Weah.

Argentina are not retiring the No.10 shirt Lionel Messi has worn with distinction, with manager Lionel Scaloni confirming there will be a heir to his thronw.

"We aren't obligated to assign it for these matches, so we won't give it to anyone until Leo's farewell game," Scaloni said in a press conference.

"The idea is for someone to eventually take it on, given how special it is to wear. We just haven't decided who yet."

Como midfielder Nico Paz is believed to be in the frame to take on the No.10 shirt, with ESPN Argentina journalist Federico Bueno claiming that it has been decided "internally".

Josh is a journalist at SPORTbible, covering football and WWE. He provides regular coverage of professional wrestling, interviewing the biggest names and covering events like WrestleMania. He also specialises in Sunday League football content and went undercover in a game packed by ex Premier League stars. He has been published by Manchester City, The Mirror, Manchester Evening News and Shoot! magazine, where he provided regular columns on the England national team.

New details have emerged about the private meeting that reportedly preceded Ronaldo's dramatic departure

Cristiano Ronaldo could face disciplinary action amid an explosive bust-up with Portugal manager Jorge Jesus.

Argentina already have a replacement for Lionel Messi's shirt number in mind.

Cristiano Ronaldo announced his exit from Portugal's international camp on Wednesday night (September 30).

📰 Original Source Attribution

Reported by Sportbible.

Read Original Report at sportbible.com ↗
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