Portuguese football legend Pepe has officially announced his retirement at the age of 41, concluding a career that spanned more than two decades. Widely celebrated as one of the world’s top defenders, Pepe leaves behind a legacy marked by both national and international success.
In a heartfelt video posted on his Instagram, Pepe simply captioned his retirement announcement with “OBRIGADO.” His final match was during Euro 2024, where Portugal was narrowly defeated by France in the quarterfinals, making him the oldest player to compete in the European Championship finals.
Pepe earned 141 caps for Portugal, playing a pivotal role in their 2016 European Championship victory. At the club level, he is best remembered for his decade-long tenure at Real Madrid, where he won three La Liga titles, three UEFA Champions League trophies, and two FIFA Club World Cups. After returning to Porto in 2019, Pepe continued to thrive, securing four Primeira Liga titles over two stints with the club.