Cristiano Ronaldo Receives Exceptional Honor from Sporting Lisbon

In the 2023/24 season, Cristiano Ronaldo’s journey with Al Nassr has been notably successful. Following his instrumental role in securing the Arab Club Champions Cup for the team, CR7 continued to shine by contributing 10 goals and 5 assists, helping his team rebound in the Saudi Pro League championship race after facing two early-season losses.

While thriving in Arabia, Ronaldo also received heartening news from Europe. Sporting Lisbon, the club where he launched his career, decided to pay a distinctive tribute to CR7.

Sporting Lisbon, the Portuguese football powerhouse, put forth a proposal to dedicate gate number 7 at José Alvalade Stadium to Cristiano Ronaldo as a mark of respect for the 38-year-old superstar. In a recent general meeting of club members, the proposal received overwhelming support, with an approval rate of 70.93%.

Promptly following the decision, Ronaldo’s image and the iconic number 7 were unveiled at the designated gate of José Alvalade Stadium, as per the plan. This spot was previously associated with the legendary Manuel Fernandes, who amassed 441 appearances for Sporting Lisbon.

This honor is truly unprecedented in the club’s history, especially considering that CR7 only played 31 matches in a single season for Sporting Lisbon before his transfer to Manchester United in 2003. The choice of gate number 7 for Ronaldo carries significant symbolism, as he never wore this number during his time at the club.

However, Sporting Lisbon evidently wanted to create a unique space to commemorate their most illustrious product. Beyond his club achievements, Cristiano Ronaldo currently holds the records for the most appearances and goals in the Portuguese national team and is a global football legend. Hence, it is only fitting that his former club bestowed this honor upon him.