(Lisbon) – Portugal international Pepe, 41, announced on Thursday that he was ending his career in a video posted on social media.
“I want to thank everyone,” Pepe said in a video posted on his Instagram account, referring in particular to the clubs he played for, the squad and even his family.
“Everyone gave me the support I needed to leave with a clear conscience,” said the centre-back, who bid farewell after participating in Euro 2024 and after his contract with Porto expired.
Kepler Laveran Lima Ferreira, his real name, was born in Brazil and arrived in Portugal at the age of 18, starting his professional career at Marítimo de Madeira.
After his first spell at Porto (2004-2007), he played for ten years at Real Madrid.
After a season and a half with Besiktas, he returned to Porto in January 2019.
“His career is an example of that,” said Porto.
With 141 caps and 8 goals, Pepe left his mark on the history of the Seleção, with whom he played for 17 years.
He is the third most capped player in the history of the squad, behind Cristiano Ronaldo (212) and Joao Moutinho (146), the Portuguese Football League confirmed in a press release.
Ronaldo's tribute
During his career and 895 matches, the Portuguese-Brazilian defender, who won the Euro 2016, participated in a total of nine World Cup and European Championship final stages, according to the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF).
“Pepe is an example of exceptional professionalism, dedication” and “tremendous passion for football”, said the federation's president, Fernando Gomez, who thanked “one of the best players in history”.
“Congratulations on your successful career” and “the legacy you will leave for future generations,” wrote national team coach Roberto Martinez.
The Euro 2016 winner against France played his last match on July 5 in Hamburg, losing to the Blues (0-0, 5 shots on target to 3), in the quarter-finals of Euro 2024.
Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo also praised Pepe's career.
“You are one of a kind, my brother,” the five-time Ballon d'Or winner wrote on social media, adding that together they “won everything there was to win on the pitch, but the greatest victory, friendship.”
