Carlos Forbs inherits Cristiano Ronaldo number 7 shirt for Portugal

Carlos Forbs has been assigned the number 7 shirt for the Portuguese national team following the international retirement of Cristiano Ronaldo. The 22-year-old winger for Club Brugge will take over the iconic number after the former captain retired from international football in early November 2026. This change follows disagreements between Cristiano Ronaldo and coach Jorge Jesus.

Denmark secures decisive Nations League victory

Portugal suffered a heavy 4-1 defeat to Denmark during a Nations League match held on November 15, 2026, at the Braga stadium. This result represents one of the largest home defeats in the history of the Portuguese national team. Rasmus Højlund scored two goals for Denmark during the match. Pierre-Emile Højbjerg contributed to the scoreline with a penalty, and Joachim Andersen also scored for the Danish side.

Portugal managed a single goal in the 75th minute through Bernardo Silva. The match took place as the squad underwent transitions following the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo, who earned 234 international caps and scored 146 international goals. The assignment of squad numbers was influenced by UEFA regulations, which require national teams to use numbers 1 through 23.

New jersey design for the number 7

The number 7 shirt assigned to Carlos Forbs will feature a specific design element to mark the transition in the team. The jersey will include a horizontal line through the middle to distinguish the era before and after Cristiano Ronaldo. This design choice acknowledges the significant impact of the former captain on the national team.

Carlos Forbs has been an international player since his debut against Armenia in November 2025 during a World Cup qualifier. The winger has made 15 appearances for Club Brugge this season and has scored 5 goals. Rafael Leão, a player for Galatasaray, was considered a candidate for the number 7 shirt but was absent from the squad due to injury.

Other international and club developments

In other sports news, Hajime Morasu is expected to leave his position as the Japan national team manager next week. In basketball, Partizan lost 81-74 to Zadar in the eighth round of the ABA League. In European football, Juventus expects a new business loss during the 2026/27 season. In the automotive sector, Xiaomi delivered over 27,000 units of its new Skynomad SUV model in October 2026.

Glossary

• Nations League — The Nations League is a CONCACAF competition. It features a top division and a finals tournament.
• UEFA regulations — UEFA regulations include rules regarding stadium categories and squad numbering. For example, they require national teams to use numbers 1 through 23.
• World Cup qualifier — A World Cup qualifier is a match played to qualify for the FIFA World Cup.
• Galatasaray — Galatasaray is a Turkish team that competes in the UEFA Champions League. The team has won the Turkish league title and the Turkish Super Cup.