Former Real Madrid and Portugal legend Pepe has officially called time on his illustrious football career at the age of 41.
The Portuguese-Brazilian central defender made the announcement on Thursday, bringing an end to a career that saw him represent some of the world’s biggest clubs, including Real Madrid and Porto, as well as the Portugal national team.
Pepe shared the news of his retirement in a video posted on his social media, where he reflected on his career achievements, which include an impressive haul of 31 trophies, among them three UEFA Champions League titles won during his time at Real Madrid.
In the video, aptly titled “Obrigado”, Thank you, Pepe highlighted the “essential” influence of his mother, who supported him in pursuing his dream of becoming a professional footballer.
He also expressed his heartfelt thanks to his family, fans, teammates, and the club presidents who “believed in” him.
Born in Maceió, Brazil, and later naturalized as a Portuguese citizen, Pepe’s career spanned 894 matches, with his final games being played during the 2024 UEFA European Championship in Germany.
Képler Laveran de Lima Ferreira, known to the football world as Pepe, began his journey at Corinthians Alagoano in Maceió.
In 2001, at just 19 years old and with only five euros to his name, he moved to Madeira to join Marítimo in the Portuguese archipelago.
Three years after his arrival in Portugal, Pepe signed with Porto, where he secured two Primeira Liga titles and one Portuguese Cup, marking the first of many accolades he would go on to collect.
His career trajectory took a significant leap in 2010 when he moved to Real Madrid, where he would spend nearly a decade.
During his tenure at Real Madrid, Pepe established himself as a pivotal player, appearing in 334 matches and scoring 15 goals.
His time with the club saw him secure three UEFA Champions League titles, two FIFA Club World Cups, two UEFA Super Cups, three La Liga titles, two Copa del Rey titles, and two Spanish Super Cups.
In 2019, Pepe left the Santiago Bernabéu to join Turkish club Besiktas, and after a season and a half, he made a return to Porto.
Even in the twilight of his career, Pepe continued to be a vital presence on the pitch, captaining Porto and adding two more Primeira Liga titles, four Portuguese Cups, and a League Cup to his already impressive collection.
Pepe became a naturalized Portuguese citizen in 2007 and leaves behind an international legacy, having represented Portugal 141 times across four World Cups and five European Championships, including the most recent in Germany.
He was a key figure in Portugal’s historic 2016 UEFA European Championship victory in France and played a pivotal role in their triumph in the 2019 UEFA Nations League.
“At the end of his football career, Pepe leaves us an example of professionalism, dedication, and, above all, a tremendous passion for football and the national team,” said Fernando Gomes, president of the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF), in a statement.
In the quarterfinals of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Pepe was seen passionately reacting during Portugal’s match against Morocco on December 10, 2022.
Pepe, 41, departs the football scene with an enduring legacy, having played for one of the biggest clubs in the world. At Real Madrid, he formed an iconic defensive partnership with Sergio Ramos, and alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, won three La Liga titles and three Champions League trophies in his 334 appearances.
His international career was equally distinguished, with Pepe playing a crucial role in Portugal’s victory at the European Championship in 2016 and the Nations League in 2019.
Even as his career wound down, Pepe continued to impress, delivering standout performances during Euro 2024.
Portugal’s journey in the tournament ended in the quarter-finals against France, a result that likely influenced Pepe’s decision to retire.
Meanwhile, his former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo has yet to announce his plans for his international career following a disappointing EURO 2024 campaign, with speculation that he might continue playing until 2026.
