Cristiano Ronaldo has always been associated with the number 7 for as long as any fan can remember. The player has created a brand for his name and the number 7 throughout his soccer career. Without a doubt, the number seven holds a special place for the player and his fans.
Cristiano Ronaldo started wearing the number 7 jersey during his first stint at English club Manchester United. The then-manager Sir Alex Ferguson convinced young Ronaldo to take up the prestigious number 7 shirt at the club.
The manager believed Ronaldo would be able to do justice to the number 7 shirt as many before him had. Iconic players like David Beckham, George Best, and Eric Cantona had worn the number 7 jersey at Manchester United before him. Thus, with Ronaldo, Ferguson opened a new era.
Ronaldo went on to become one of the best soccer players in the world while donning the number 7 shirt. The player has since continued playing in the number 7 shirt, thus, making the number 7 shirt his brand. Ronaldo achieved new heights in his soccer career during his time at Real Madrid and Juventus.
Cristiano Ronaldo with the number 7 shirt at Real Madrid.
RIDICULOUS.pic.twitter.com/7sfSURji39
— Cristiano Ronaldo Fans (@CRonaldoLive) October 26, 2020
Furthermore, following Ronaldo’s return to Manchester United in 2021, Edinson Cavani left his number 7 shirt for the player and moved on to take up the new number 21. The player is currently playing at the Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr while donning his favorite number 7 shirt.
Other shirt numbers Cristiano Ronaldo has worn in his career
Cristiano Ronaldo, however, has not always worn the number 7 shirt. The player wore the number 28 shirt during his time at Sporting Lisbon. Furthermore, the number 7 shirt was not even his favored shirt when he joined the English side Manchester United.
Sir Alex Ferguson convinced the player to wear the number 7 shirt at Old Trafford and the player has never looked back since then. However, Ronaldo was not able to resume wearing the number 7 shirt when he joined Real Madrid back in 2009.
Real Madrid legend Raul was the one wearing the number 7 shirt when Ronaldo joined Real Madrid in 2009. The player wore the number 9 shirt during his first season at Real Madrid. He was, however, able to reclaim his number after Raul left the club in 2010 for Schalke.
Following his move to Juventus, Juan Cuadrado left his number 7 shirt for the Portuguese captain. Juan Cuadrado had joined the Italian club before Ronaldo but had no qualms about vacating the number 7 shirt as he knew it held a special place in Ronaldo’s heart.
Cristiano Ronaldo wears the number 7 shirt for his national team as well. However, he did wear the number 17 shirt during the 2004 European Championship. After the retirement of Luis Figo, Ronaldo was able to reclaim his favorite number and has continued with it to date.