Portugal veteran Pepe announced his retirement from football at the age of 41 on Thursday through a video on social media.
“I want to thank everyone,” said the center-back, acknowledging the clubs he represented, the Portuguese national team, and his family. “You all gave me the support I needed to leave the game with peace of mind.”
Pepe began his career with Portuguese side Maritimo at 18, before going on to play for Porto, Real Madrid, and Turkish club Besiktas.
He enjoyed a decade of success with Real Madrid, winning three Champions League titles, two Club World Cups, and three La Liga championships. Pepe also had two spells at Porto, from 2004-2007 and 2019-2024, where he secured four Portuguese league titles and five Portuguese Cups.
Former Madrid and Portugal teammate Cristiano Ronaldo paid tribute to Pepe on Instagram: “Words can’t capture what you mean to me, my friend. We won everything on the pitch, but the greatest victory is the friendship and respect I have for you. You’re one of a kind, my brother. Thank you for everything.”
Born in Brazil, Pepe made his international debut for Portugal in 2007, earning 141 caps. He was a key figure in Portugal’s first major tournament win at Euro 2016, as well as their Nations League triumph in 2019.
At Euro 2024, Pepe set a record as the oldest player to ever compete in a European Championship when he started Portugal’s opening match at 41. His 22-year career came to a close when Portugal was eliminated by France on penalties in the quarter-finals.
Fernando Gomes, president of the Portuguese football federation, praised Pepe as “one of the greatest players of all time,” and thanked him for his “extraordinary professionalism, dedication, and passion for football.”