Real Madrid and Portugal legend Pepe announced his retirement on Thursday after an illustrious 23-year career in professional football. The veteran defender, who played 742 matches across four clubs—Porto, Real Madrid, and Besiktas—and earned 141 international caps, made his final appearance for the Selecao in the Euro 2024 quarter-final against France.
Following Pepe’s decision to hang up his boots, his former Real Madrid and Portugal teammate, Cristiano Ronaldo, shared an emotional tribute on Instagram. Ronaldo wrote: “There are no words to express how much you mean to me, my friend. We won everything there was to win on the field, but the greatest achievement is the friendship and respect I have for you. You are one of a kind, my brother. Thank you for so much.”
Portugal’s head coach, Roberto Martinez, and Porto also paid homage to the 41-year-old. Martinez, in a video shared by the Portugal Football Federation on YouTube, conveyed his admiration and gratitude: “Dear Pepe, today is a very special day for you and your family, but also for Portuguese football. I want to extend my best wishes. My message has two parts. Firstly, congratulations on a career filled with successes, great moments, and memories that will last a lifetime. Secondly, thank you. Thank you for your contributions to the national team, especially during your fifth European Championship, where you set a remarkable example. You’ve left a legacy for future generations of Portugal. May this be the start of a new chapter in your life, filled with happiness alongside your family.”
Porto echoed these sentiments on their Instagram, writing: “A career and a legacy that will always be an example for any Porto fan. There are only two words: congratulations and thank you.”
As Pepe closes this chapter of his life, speculation arises about whether he might return to football in a new role—perhaps as a coach, pundit, or in another capacity.
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