Former Real Madrid and Porto defender Pepe has announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 41.
Pepe left Porto earlier this summer before leading Portugal at Euro 2024, earning his 141th cap in the quarter-final defeat to France, and has now decided to call time on his career.
In an emotional 33-minute YouTube video, Pepe said: “I want to thank God for giving me the wisdom to be able to continue my journey. I can’t help but thank all the presidents who bet on me and believed in me.
“All the employees of all the clubs I’ve been to, they are the soul and essence. And of the national team. All my teammates and coaches, who helped me grow and compete every day. All the fans, who are the soul of football.
“To Jorge Mendes, to Gestifute, to my mother, who was essential in my journey by letting me fly towards my dream, which was to be a professional footballer. To all my friends and family, especially my wife, who was my home in my absence. My children for believing in me, for being a fundamental support in my life, for supporting me when I left home to play. They were the support I needed to be able to go with a clear conscience. I would like to thank everyone, give them a big thank you and a big hug of gratitude. Thank you all very much.”
Pepe won LaLiga and UEFA Champions League title at Real Madrid and was part of Portugal squad that won Euro 2016.
