Portugal greats Pepe and Cristiano Ronaldo | AFP

Portugal defender Pepe has retired from football, the 41-year-old said on Thursday. Former Real Madrid star Pepe’s last game was at the Euro 2024, where Portugal were defeated by France on penalties in the quarter-finals.  Pepe had become the oldest player to appear at a European Championship finals tournament.

Pepe made 141 appearances for his country, winning the Euros in 2016, and spent 10 seasons at Real Madrid where he won three LaLiga titles and three Champions League trophies, as well as two FIFA Club World Cups. Pepe joined the Spanish side in 2007 from FC Porto and returned to the Portuguese club in 2019 where he remained until the end of his career, winning four Primeira Liga titles across his two spells at the club.

He is only behind Cristiano Ronaldo and Joao Moutinho as the nation’s most-capped players. At the club level, he made 521 appearances for Maritimo, FC Porto, Real Madrid, Besiktas and finally back to Porto.

He is only behind Cristiano Ronaldo and Joao Moutinho as the nation’s most-capped players.

It was a touchy moment for football fans as Pepe, who was in tears after the match against France, was consoled by Cristiano Ronaldo.

At the club level, he made 521 appearances for Maritimo, FC Porto, Real Madrid, Besiktas and finally back to Porto.

Spain legend Sergio Ramos and Pepe operated at the heart of Los Blancos defence for many seasons when Barcelona was in its prime with the likes of Xavi, Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta in its ranks.

“I want to thank God for giving me the wisdom to be able to continue my journey,” an emotional Pepe said in a video on social media which looked back on his career. “I can’t help but also thank all the presidents who bet and believed in me to be able to perform my work. To all the employees of all the clubs I’ve been to, who are the soul and essence of the clubs and the national team.

“And I want to thank everyone in the background. I want to leave a thank you and a hug of gratitude for all of you. And thank you all very much.”

Pepe is a close friend of Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo. It was a touchy moment for football fans as Pepe, who was in tears after the match against France, was consoled by Cristiano Ronaldo.

“No words to express how much you mean to me my friend. We won everything there was to win on the field, but the biggest achievement is the friendship and respect I have for you. You are unique my brother. Thank you for so much,” CR7 said on social media reacting to Pepe’s announcement.