Judging by his defeated face after Portugal’s elimination on penalties against France in the quarter-finals of Euro 2024, there was little doubt that Pepe was fully aware that he was playing one of his very last football matches. This Thursday, what many suspected was confirmed by the first person concerned who officially announced that he was retiring from professional football.
It was through a long video posted on his social networks that the man with 141 caps for Portugal confirmed his decision. He first appears with the trophy that he clearly seems to place above all those he has won: that of Euro 2016. Then he resumes the thread of his career, club by club, evoking all the strongest moments he has experienced as a footballer.
Trophies galore
During his twenty-four years on the pitch, Pepe played a whopping 878 matches. At 41, he has won 35 trophies. In addition to the famous Euro won with the Seleçao, the former Real Madrid defender has won three Champions Leagues, four Portuguese championships and three Spanish championships.
His best ranking in the Ballon d’Or was a fine ninth place in 2016. His video ends when he puts his jersey in a suitcase and closes it, surrounded by his three children who come to hug and kiss him.
