Portugal veteran, Pepe has finally announced he was retiring from football at 41.
In a statement via social media, the ever reliable centre back whose career is decorated with numerous trophies wrote “I would like to thank you all. Everyone gave me the support I needed to leave with my mind at ease.”
Pepe joined Portuguese side Maritimo at the age of 18 and later plied his trade at Porto, Spanish giants, Real Madrid and Turkish club, Besiktas.
Although born in Brazil, the no nonsense defender made his international debut for his adopted country of Portugal in 2007 and earned 141 caps, winning a major silverware at Euro 2016, as well as the Nations League in 2019.
Pepe set a new record as the oldest player to ever play at a European Championship when he started Portugal’s opening game at Euro 2024, aged 41.
The Astute defender spent a trophy-laden 10 years with Madrid, where he won three Champions Leagues, two Club World Cups and three Spanish league titles as well as won a total of four Portuguese championships and five Portuguese Cups while featuring for Porto
Meanwhile, the President Portuguese football federation, Fernando Gomes has described Pepe as “one of the greatest players of all time” and thanked him for his “extraordinary professionalism, dedication… and passion for football”.
Reacting to the development, Former Madrid and Portugal team-mate, Cristiano Ronaldo paid homage saying, “there are no words to express what you mean to me, my friend. We won everything there was to win on the pitch, but the biggest triumph is the friendship and the respect I have for you. You’re unique, my brother. Thank you for so much.”
