Cristiano Ronaldo has now finally agreed personal terms with Manchester City but what squad number could he wear at the Etihad?
There are two things synonymous with Cristiano Ronaldo throughout his career over the last 15 years – goals and the number 7.
But his famous number seven shirt is currently occupied by first-team star Raheem Sterling.
Ronaldo has worn the number nine shirt on occasions for Portugal as well as for a year during his first year at Real Madrid but that shirt is currently occupied for Gabriel Jesus.
CR7 has also worn the number 17 on occasions for Portugal on international duty, but Kevin De Bruyne is the current occupant of that number.
Here is a look at the most likely options for the legendary Portuguese forward, according to MEN Sport.
12 – Highly unlikely, but it's vacant. The 36-year-old striker could be totally disinterested in the number.
15 – Not the most popular number among superstar footballers, Ronaldo could opt to be the first man to wear the shirt since Eliaquim Mangala in 2019.
18 – Worn most recently by Fabian Delph, Frank Lampard and Gareth Barry this is a number more known for being for midfielders. However many expected Kane to take it if he had joined and with the added fact of 8-1 equalling 7, Ronaldo could step in to take this shirt.
19 – A more traditional attackers number than others mentioned so far, Ronaldo has previously worn the number 10 while playing for the Portugal national team. 9+1 = 10 so it becomes an option.
23 – This one definitely won't be worn by Ronaldo if he signs after it got retired by the club following the tragic death of Marc-Vivien Foe.
24 – Previously worn by John Stones, Patrick Vieira and Nedum Onouha, CR24 doesn't quite have a ring to it.
28 – This might be the one. After Lionel Messi joined PSG and took the number 30 to go full circle in squad numbers, Ronaldo could do the same. The Portugal captain wore the number 28 at Sporting CP before joining Manchester United so could opt for that at City.
29 – Ronaldo is much more of a striker now; 2-9 = 7 but 9 is also more of a striker number so having it on his back may work better than in the past.
37 – As mentioned earlier, Ronaldo wore 10 during his younger days as a Portugal youth international. This option would allow him to wear numbers that equal that amount while also keeping his trademark 7 involved somehow.
77 – Just don't rule it out – this is Ronaldo after all and the only thing better than having the number 7 on your back when your whole brand revolves around it would be having two of them.
This article was most recently revised and updated 3 years ago
