Portugal defender Pepe has announced his retirement from football, ending one of the most highly decorated careers of recent times.
Pepe, 41, became the oldest player to appear at a European Championship finals this summer, and his last match was Portugal’s penalty shootout defeat by France in the quarter-finals.
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.
Portugal and Porto defender Pepe announced this on his Instagram page Thursday morning. The 41-year-old posted a glossy video showcasing his many trophies, with the caption “OBRIGADO”— translated from Portuguese, it means, “THANK YOU
An emotional former Real Madrid defender, appreciate those who have contributed to his successful football career in a 33-minute video posted on line Instagram on Thursday.
Pepe, won Euro 2016 with Portugal and also helped to secure three Champions League and three La Liga titles during his 10-year spell in Madrid.
Pepe said: “I can’t help but thank all the presidents who bet and believed in me to be able to perform my work.
“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. Pape added in a post on his instagram page.
“To all the employees of all the clubs I’ve been to, who are the soul and essence of the clubs and the national team. And I want to thank everyone in the background.
Pepe became the champion league oldest goal scorer last year when he netted for Porto against Antwerp in the group stages.
His career included making 334 appearances for Real Madrid at a time when they were Europe’s dominant side.Pepe’s disciplinary record was also famously notable, with him receiving high number of red cards across his career.
The Former Real Madrid and Portugal team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo said there are “no words to express” what Pepe means to him.
In a post on Instagram, he added: “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
Pepe, who became the oldest player in the history of the men’s European Championship this summer, played the 2024 season with Porto in his home country.
Over the course of a 23-year senior career, he suited up for Maritimo and Porto in Portugal, Real Madrid in Spain, and Beskitas in Turkey.
Pepe won four Portuguese league titles, five Portuguese cups, three Spanish league titles, two Spanish cups, three Champions Leagues, and the 2016 European Championship.
