Veteran Portuguese footballer Pepe announced his retirement in a video on social media on Thursday.
‘I want to thank you all,’ said Pepe, who plays in the central defensive position in the video.
He mentioned the clubs he represented, the Portuguese national team, and his family. ‘Everyone gave me the support I needed so that I could say goodbye to the game in peace.’
Pepe joined Portuguese club Maritimo at the age of 18. He later played for Porto, Real Madrid, and Turkish club Beşiktaş.
Pepe, 41, won a host of trophies in 10 years with Madrid, including three Champions Leagues, two Club World Cups and three Spanish league titles.
He also spent two spells with Porto, between 2004–2007 and 2019–2024, where he won four Portuguese championships and five Portuguese Cups.
Former Madrid and Portugal teammate Cristiano Ronaldo paid tribute to Pepe on Instagram, saying: ‘My friend, you are so important to me that there are no words to describe it.
‘We won everything there was to win on the field, but the greatest achievement is the friendship and respect I have for you in my heart. You are unique, my brother. Thank you for giving so much.’
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Although Pepe was born in Brazil, the central defender made his international debut for his adopted country Portugal in 2007 and went on to make 141 appearances.
They won their first major trophy by winning the Euro Cup in 2016 and won the Nations League three years later.
Pepe also set a new record when he featured in Portugal’s opening match at Euro 2024 at the age of 41, becoming the oldest player to play at the European Championship.
Portugal’s quarter-final penalty shootout defeat against France proved to be the last match of Pepe’s 22-year career.
Portugal’s Football Federation president Fernando Gómez called the defender ‘one of the greatest players of all time’ and thanked him for his ‘extraordinary professionalism, dedication… and passion for football’. paid
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2024-08-23 11:49:10
