Manchester United have confirmed Cristiano Ronaldo will wear the number seven shirt for the 2021-22 season.
Ronaldo, who broke Ali Daei’s long-standing record of international goals with a double for Portugal against the Republic of Ireland on Wednesday, re-joined United in a sensational transfer from Juventus at the end of the transfer window.
The superstar forward, who on Thursday was released from international duty, wore United’s iconic number seven during his first stint at Old Trafford, which ended in 2009.
He wore the number nine during his first season at Madrid, before taking the number seven shirt after club legend Raul left for Schalke in 2010.
Ronaldo has since worn the number seven in every season for both Madrid and Juventus, as well as for Portugal.
it’s official
@Cristiano#MUFC | #RonaldoReturns
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) September 2, 2021
However, there was some doubt over whether he would be able to take the seven shirt upon his return to Manchester, with United having already confirmed their squad numbers for the upcoming campaign.
Edinson Cavani previously wore the number, and the Uruguay forward made his first appearance of the season against Wolves last time out.
Reports suggested United would seek special dispensation from the Premier League to alter their squad numbers, however, and Ronaldo has now been handed the famous number previously worn by greats such as George Best, Eric Cantona and David Beckham, and he thanks Cavani for letting him take it.
“I wasn’t sure if it would be possible to have the number seven shirt again, so I would like to say a huge thank you to Edi for this incredible gesture,” Ronaldo said in an Instagram post.
In turn, Cavani has taken the number 21 shirt, which was vacated by Daniel James when he completed a move to Leeds United on Tuesday.
He has worn the 21 shirt for Uruguay since 2010-11.
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