Pepe announces his retirement just one month after becoming the oldest footballer to play in a European Championship with Portugal.
Portuguese legend Pepe has retired from football, the 41-year-old former Real Madrid defender announced on Thursday.
Pepe's last game was at Euro 2024, where Portugal were beaten by France on penalties in the quarter-finals, and he became the oldest player to take part in a Euro finals.
“I want to thank God for giving me the wisdom to be able to continue on my path,” said an emotional Pepe in a video on social media in which he reviewed his career.
“I also have to thank all the presidents who believed in me and supported me so that I could do my job. I would also like to thank all the employees of all the clubs I have worked for, who are the soul and essence of the clubs and the national team.
“And I want to thank all of you who are in the background. I want to leave a thank you and a hug of gratitude to all of you. And thank you very much to all of you.”
Pepe made 141 appearances for his country, winning the European Championship in 2016, and spent 10 seasons at Real Madrid, where he won three LaLiga titles and three Champions League trophies, as well as two FIFA Club World Cups.
Pepe joined the Spanish side in 2007 from Porto and returned to the Portuguese club in 2019, staying until the end of his career and winning four Primeira Liga titles in his two spells at the club.
