Portugal Plans Braga Tribute to Ronaldo as Attendance Remains Unconfirmed

Portugal will stage a symbolic farewell to Cristiano Ronaldo on Saturday when it hosts Denmark in the Nations League at the Estadio Municipal de Braga. The fixture will be Portugal’s first since the forward announced his retirement from international football on Nov. 5, though it remains unclear whether he will be in the stands.

The plan emerged from a Thursday meeting between federation president Pedro Proenca, coach Jorge Jesus, and the team’s three captains: Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias, and Bruno Fernandes.

According to reports, they agreed that every player will walk onto the pitch wearing the No. 7, the number Ronaldo made his own over 23 years with the national team. The tribute is expected to continue during the match, which will be stopped in the seventh minute for a stadium-wide standing ovation, reportedly with UEFA’s approval.

Off the pitch, the federation has also left Ronaldo’s room at Cidade do Futebol, the team’s training base, empty during this camp. Still, there has been no confirmation that the Al Nassr striker will attend, and reports about the ceremony do not include any official word on his participation.

Jorge Jesus reacts to the tribute

Portugal’s coach was asked about the homage at his pre-match press conference, where he explained that the idea did not originate with him or his staff. “Such decisions are always the responsibility of the Portuguese Football Federation, more specifically its football and sporting departments and its president,” he said.

He was quick to praise the plan, however: “It is brilliant because nobody can forget the 23 years Cris spent with the national team, what he achieved for Portugal, and the impact he has had on the world of football.”

Jesus, who worked with Ronaldo for a year, added that he knows him well and understands how important he is “not only to the younger players and the next generation, but to everyone.” He closed by recalling what the player means to the country: “We must never forget that he is a legend of Portuguese football.”

The tribute in Braga gives Portugal a chance to say a proper goodbye to a player whose international exit did not unfold under ideal circumstances after weeks of tension with Jesus. For Ronaldo, who spent 23 years with the team, it could provide the closing chapter that the circumstances of his retirement did not allow—if he decides to attend.

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