Transavia to leave seat 7C empty on Funchal flights in honour of Ronaldo

Dutch airline Transavia has honoured Cristiano Ronaldo in an unusual way. The night before last, the airline posted a photo on its official Instagram account showing Ronaldo's Portugal number 7 jersey placed on seat 7C. For now, no passenger will be seated in that seat on any of its flights to Funchal.

A few days ago, Ronaldo announced his retirement from international football in a post on social media. Over a 25-year career, the star set countless records and earned the love of fans around the world.

Ronaldo wore the number 7 jersey for most of his career, for both club and country, and became known as CR7. That is why Transavia decided not to seat any passenger in seat 7C on flights bound for Funchal.

Funchal is the Portuguese star's birthplace, and one of around 110 destinations served by Transavia's fleet around the world.

Posting the photo of Ronaldo's Portugal number 7 jersey, Transavia wrote in the caption: 'CR7 has hung up his boots. And we have decided not to use seat number 7C on flights to Funchal.'

The Portugal national team, however, has taken no such step. The national team must follow FIFA and UEFA rules, under which no player's jersey may be retired, whatever the player's name or identity.

On November 5, Ronaldo said goodbye to Portugal in a statement on Instagram. The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) responded the same day with an emotional message on the departure of a footballer who had taken himself to unique heights through personal and team success.

In a statement on social media, the federation wrote: 'He is not just an extraordinary athlete, but an inspiring leader, a symbol of dedication and a reflection of the national team's soul. Ronaldo carried the weight of the country's expectations on his own shoulders. He set record after record and gave the team moments of success that will remain memorable in the history of Portuguese football forever.'

Portugal also plans a special farewell ceremony to honour Ronaldo's long and illustrious career. In its statement, the FPF wrote: 'The Portuguese Football Federation expresses deep gratitude and boundless respect for Cristiano Ronaldo's extraordinary journey in the national jersey. We are proud to be able to publicly honour him.' At the end of the statement, the federation made clear that the farewell of a legend like Ronaldo cannot happen without proper honour.

Ronaldo has scored 985 goals in competitive football so far. Although he has left international football, he has not retired from competitive football. He plays for Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr.