Today is a historic day for Portugal.
For the first time since 2003, Portugal will play a football match without Cristiano Ronaldo.
After 23 years, 234 appearances, and 146 goals, Ronaldo announced his retirement from international football on November 5th, 2026. Tonight, Portugal face Denmark in Braga in the Nations League, and it will be their first game without their greatest player ever.
But the story is not just about the match. It is about what Portugal is planning to do, and what Ronaldo is doing instead.
PORTUGAL'S TRIBUTE PLAN FOR RONALDO
The Portuguese Football Federation has planned a special tribute for Ronaldo before tonight's game.
According to reports, all Portuguese players will walk onto the pitch wearing the No.7 jersey, the iconic number associated with Ronaldo for more than two decades.
In addition, the match is expected to be paused in the 7th minute, so that the entire stadium can stand up and give Ronaldo a standing ovation.
The decision was reportedly finalised on Thursday in a meeting involving Federation President Pedro Proenca, head coach Jorge Jesus, and the three captains, Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias, and Bruno Fernandes.
Bernardo Silva, who has now inherited the captain's armband from Ronaldo, spoke to the press on Friday. He said the team can cope with the extra pressure of playing without Ronaldo.
He admitted that Ronaldo had been the main focus for much of the past two decades, but he backed the team to handle the new era.
BUT WHERE IS RONALDO?
While Portugal was preparing this tribute, Ronaldo was not in Portugal.
On Friday evening, Ronaldo posted pictures of himself playing golf in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with Al-Nassr officials.
It was at the same time Portugal's press conference was going on in Braga.
This has caused a huge debate among fans. Some say it is a coincidence, that Ronaldo is simply enjoying his break during the international break. Others say it is a deliberate message.
Ronaldo and coach Jorge Jesus reportedly had a falling out in September. Since then, their relationship has not been the same. Many fans believe Ronaldo is deliberately staying away to show that he is not happy with how his retirement was handled.
Whether Ronaldo will appear in the stadium tonight is still unknown.
THE FANS ARE NOT HAPPY - IS THIS A REAL TRIBUTE?
Not all fans are happy with Portugal's tribute plan.
Many fans are calling it "eye service" and a trick to sell tickets.
Their reasons are:
First, Portugal has already given Ronaldo's No.7 jersey to Rafael Leao. If they truly wanted to retire the number, why give it to another player so quickly?
Second, Portugal also announced they will retire Ronaldo's Room 201 at the national team training camp. Fans say this is coming too late, after he has already left.
Third, reports today suggest that tickets for tonight's match have still not sold out, even with the Ronaldo tribute. Fans are asking, if Ronaldo is so important, why are the stands not full?
One viral video today argued that if Ronaldo was still playing, the stadium would have been sold out weeks ago. The tribute, they say, is being used to sell the remaining tickets.
THE BUSINESS LESSON: YOUR NAME CAN SELL EVEN WHEN YOU ARE NOT THERE
This is where the story becomes a business lesson.
Ronaldo is not playing tonight. He is not even in the country. Yet, Portugal is still using his name and his number to sell tickets, to get media attention, and to fill the stadium.
That is the power of a brand.
Ronaldo has built a brand so strong that even in retirement, his name still sells. That is why his net worth is $1.2 billion. That is why companies like Nike, Binance, and Herbalife still pay him millions every year.
Most players are forgotten the moment they retire. Ronaldo is different. Portugal still needs him, even when he is not there.
That is what every young person should learn: Build your name so strong that people will still pay for it even when you are not in the room.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN TONIGHT?
Portugal have already qualified for the quarter-finals of the Nations League, after winning all four matches in Group A4. Tonight's game against Denmark will not change that.
But it will be emotional. It will be the first time in 23 years that Portugal will walk out without Ronaldo leading them.
Will the tribute work? Will the fans clap in the 7th minute? Will Ronaldo post anything about the game?
Or will the team prove Bernardo Silva right, that they can win without Ronaldo?
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Do you think Portugal's tribute to Ronaldo is genuine, or is it just a way to sell tickets?
And do you think Ronaldo is right to stay away and play golf, or should he have come to Braga to say goodbye to the fans in person?
Tell us in the comments. Share this article if you are a Ronaldo fan.
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