Pepe Hangs Up His Boots: A Legendary Career Comes to an End
In a emotional farewell, Portugal defender Pepe has announced his retirement from football, bringing an end to an illustrious career that spanned over two decades. The 41-year-old became the oldest player to feature at a European Championship finals this summer, and his final match was Portugal’s penalty shootout defeat by France in the quarter-finals.
Throughout his career, Pepe made 141 appearances for Portugal, making him the third most-capped player in the country’s history. He also played for Porto, Besiktas, and Maritimo, making 334 appearances for Real Madrid, where he won three Champions League and three La Liga titles.
In a 33-minute video posted online, Pepe thanked those who have supported him throughout his career, including club presidents, employees, and teammates. He also reflected on his time at Real Madrid, saying: "I can’t help but 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."
Pepe’s career was marked by his incredible athleticism, leadership, and goalscoring ability. He became the Champions League’s oldest goalscorer last year when he netted for Porto against Antwerp in the group stages. However, his disciplinary record was also notable, with him receiving a high number of red cards across his career.
As Pepe hangs up his boots, he leaves behind a legacy that few can match. He won Euro 2016 with Portugal and was a key player in their success. His retirement marks the end of an era, and we can only hope that he will continue to be involved in the game in some capacity.
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