Cristiano Ronaldo receives bizarre tribute from airline as seat number is retired

A specific seat has been made unavailable by an airline following Cristiano Ronaldo's retirement from international football.

On Thursday, Ronaldo officially announced he had played his final game for the Portugal national team following a bust-up with Jorge Jesus.

Ronaldo walked out of the national team camp in the last international break after finding himself on the bench for the entirety of the 2-1 win over Norway.

He was punished by the Portuguese Football Federation with a small fine and suspension but having issued a furious 1,740-word statement, he later confirmed he was finishing with 146 goals and 234 caps.

Cristiano Ronaldo's announcement sees airline retire seat on flight

Ronaldo, who posted a five-minute video statement, does not look set to be given a farewell fixture.

However, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner has been honoured in unusual fashion by Transavia, a Dutch airline.

The airline runs 110 destinations across Europe and North Africa, including Ronaldo's birthplace of Funchal in Madeira.

But the airline have confirmed that to commemorate Ronaldo calling it a day, the 7C has been removed for flights to Funchal.

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They announced the gesture on their official Instagram, writing: "CR7 hangs up the shoes, our seats numbered 7C are now also removed for our flights to Funchal."

The post included a picture of Ronaldo's Portugal No.7 shirt hung up on the aisle seat. The seat therefore cannot be booked by any customers.

Reacting to Ronaldo's retirement for the first time, manager Jesus said: "Perhaps things were rushed, but not because of me. He already had it in his head that, sooner or later, this moment would come. It was always going to happen during my time as coach. I don't feel guilty about his departure.

"I respect his decision and, naturally, the history he built with the National Team. Over this year and a half, I built a strong friendship with him. From a sporting point of view, he has now made a different decision, which I deeply respect."

Why Cristiano Ronaldo's No.7 shirt cannot be retired

The No.7 shirt is synonymous with Ronaldo, who has worn it with distinction for Portugal. But despite the gesture from Transavia, Ronaldo's actual shirt number cannot be retired by his country.

That's because FIFA rules not allow numbers worn by national teams to be retired as numbers from 1-26 must be occupied in competitive fixtures.

READ MORE: Cristiano Ronaldo releases emotional five-minute video statement confirming retirement decision

Lionel Messi has also retired from international duty with Argentina, with La Albiceleste delaying handed out his shirt to another player.

Because their next two games are friendlies, they do not have to allocate the shirt.

However, Portugal's upcoming two games are Nations League games - meaning we will see someone else wearing the No.7 for Portugal.

For the last two outings, the No.7 shirt went to Galatasaray winger Rafael Leao.