Portugal Icon Pepe has introduced his retirement from soccer on the age of 41. The Actual Madrid legend claimed 34 trophies over 23 skilled seasons.
A local of Maceio, Brazil, Pepe moved to Portugal at 18 to hitch Maritimo. Promoted to the primary crew in his second season, Pepe would spend three years on the membership within the prime flight earlier than a switch to Porto in 2004 the place he would first make his identify.
After three seasons and two Primeira Liga titles at Porto, Pepe headed to the Bernabeu in 2007. He would go on to look in 229 La Liga contests for Los Blancos over a decade, profitable three league titles, two Copas del Rey and three Champions League crowns.
Following an 18-month stint at Besiktas, Pepe would return to Porto, the place he spent the final six seasons, profitable two extra league titles and 4 Tacas de Portugal.
Internationally, Pepe made his senior debut in 2007 and would go on to make 141 appearances, making him Portugal’s third-most-capped participant of all-time. Pepe appeared at 5 Euros, together with Euro 2024, and 4 World Cups.
He was memorably a part of the Portugal aspect that captured Euro 2016.
Additionally, taking to his X deal with (previously Twitter) on Thursday to substantiate the event, soccer switch knowledgeable, Fabrizio Romano, wrote about Pepe: “878 video games, 34 trophies and top-of-the-line defenders round for years…
Legend. 🍷✨:”
