August 08, (THEWILL) – Portuguese football veteran, Pepe, has announced his retirement from professional football. The 41-year-old centre-back confirmed the news in an emotional 33-minute video shared on his social media.
Pepe’s illustrious career spanned over two decades, during which he represented several top clubs, including Real Madrid, Besiktas, and his boyhood club Porto. He made a total of almost 900 official appearances for these teams.
Despite receiving offers from Saudi Arabia and other clubs, Pepe has decided to hang up his boots after ending his contract with Porto. In his video message, he expressed gratitude to the presidents, employees, and everyone who supported him throughout his journey.
Pepe’s retirement marks the end of an era. The Brazilian-born Portuguese international was a dominant figure in defence, winning numerous trophies, including a European Championship with the national team in 2016 and three UEFA Champions League titles with Real Madrid.
With 141 caps, Pepe departs the Portuguese national team as the third-most capped player, behind Cristiano Ronaldo and Joao Moutinho. His unwavering commitment and exceptional performances on the pitch have cemented his legacy as one of the greatest defenders in Portuguese football history.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
