Portuguese football star Pepe announced his retirement on Thursday at the age of 41.
Seeing his defeated face after Portugal were eliminated on penalties by France in the quarter-finals of Euro 2024, there was no doubt that Pepe knew he was playing one of his last matches in football. This Thursday, what many expected was confirmed by the first interested party, who officially announced his retirement from professional football.
In a long video posted on social media, the player who has played 141 international matches for Portugal confirmed his decision. He appears for the first time there holding the trophy that he clearly places above all the trophies he has won: the 2016 European Championship. He then addresses his career, club by club, recalling the most powerful moments he has experienced as a footballer.
Awards are plentiful
During his 24 years on the green rectangles, Pepe has played 878 matches. At the age of 41, he has won 35 trophies. In addition to this famous Euro won by the Seleção, the former Real Madrid defender has won three Champions Leagues or even four Portuguese Championships and three Spanish Championships.
His best finish in the Ballon d'Or was ninth in 2016. His video ends with him putting his shirt in a bag and closing it, surrounded by his three children who hug and kiss him.
