Portugal’s Tribute to Ronaldo in Nations League Shrouded in Mystery: Will the Legend Appear?

Portugal will say a symbolic goodbye to Cristiano Ronaldo on Saturday, when it hosts Denmark in the Nations League at the Estadio Municipal de Braga. It will be the team’s first match since the forward announced his retirement from the national team on Nov. 5, although it is still unclear whether he will be in the stands to see it.

The idea took shape in a meeting on Thursday between federation president Pedro Proenca, coach Jorge Jesus, and the team’s three captains: Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias, and Bruno Fernandes.

They reportedly agreed that every player will walk onto the pitch wearing the No. 7, the number that Ronaldo made his own during 23 years with the national team. The tribute is also expected to continue during the game, which will be stopped in the seventh minute so that the stadium can give Ronaldo a standing ovation, reportedly with UEFA’s approval.

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