Portuguese football icon Pepe has announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 41, marking the end of a remarkable 22-year career. The Brazilian-born defender made the announcement through a 33-minute video posted on his social media channels, expressing gratitude to his supporters and reflecting on his numerous achievements.Pepe’s illustrious career includes 141 appearances for the Portuguese national team, with his final match being in the quarterfinals of Euro 2024, where he set the record as the oldest player to appear in a European Championship finals tournament. His international accolades include winning Euro 2016 and the 2019 Nations League with Portugal.At the club level, Pepe is best known for his decade-long stint at Real Madrid from 2007 to 2017, where he won three Champions League titles, three La Liga championships, and two FIFA Club World Cups. He also had successful spells at Porto, winning multiple Primeira Liga titles, and briefly played for Besiktas in Turkey.Throughout his career, Pepe played a total of 737 games, scoring 42 goals and providing 36 assists. Known for his physical strength, leadership, and defensive skills, he also accumulated 185 yellow cards, testament to his aggressive style of play.In his retirement message, Pepe said, ‘I want to thank God for giving me the wisdom to be able to continue my journey. I want to thank all the presidents who bet and believed in me to be able to perform my work’. He also expressed gratitude to the staff at all the clubs he played for, calling them ‘the soul and essence of the clubs and the national team’.Portuguese Football Federation president Fernando Gomes praised Pepe as ‘one of the greatest players of all time’ and thanked him for his ‘outstanding professionalism, dedication… and passion for football’. As Pepe hangs up his boots, he leaves behind a legacy as one of the most decorated defenders in modern football history.
Key points
- Pepe, the 41-year-old Portuguese defender, has announced his retirement from professional football after a 22-year career.
- Pepe’s career highlights include 141 appearances for Portugal, winning Euro 2016 and the 2019 Nations League.
- At club level, Pepe is best known for his 10-year stint at Real Madrid, where he won three Champions League titles and three La Liga championships.
- Pepe played his last match at Euro 2024, becoming the oldest player to appear in a European Championship finals tournament.
Contradictions👾There are slight discrepancies in the reported number of games Pepe played throughout his career, with some sources citing 737 games while others mention 894 games.
