Following Pepe’s retirement announcement from football, Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo expressed his heartfelt tribute to his long-time teammate.
Pepe bids farewell to the game at the age of 41, with his last match being at Euro 2024, where they were defeated by France in the quarter-finals via penalties.
Participating in the tournament made Pepe the oldest player to ever feature in a European Championship.
During his career, Pepe made 141 appearances for Portugal, placing him only behind Ronaldo (211) and João Moutinho (146).
Ronaldo penned a touching message for Pepe, stating, “There truly aren’t enough words to convey how much you mean to me, my friend. Together, we achieved everything on the field, but the most significant accomplishment is the bond of friendship and respect I hold for you. You are exceptional, my brother. Thank you deeply.”
Pepe also had a decade-long stint at Real Madrid, with eight years spent as Ronaldo’s teammate.
Throughout their time together, they secured three LaLiga titles, three Champions League trophies, and two FIFA Club World Cups.