One of football’s most illustrious careers has come to an end, as legendary defender Pepe announced his retirement on Thursday at the age of 41.
The Portuguese and Real Madrid icon leaves the game with an impressive haul of 34 trophies amassed over a remarkable 23-year professional career.
Born in Maceio, Brazil, Pepe moved to Portugal as a teenager to join Maritimo. He quickly rose through the ranks, earning a spot on the first team in his second season.
After three years with Maritimo in the Primeira Liga, Pepe’s talent caught the attention of Porto, where he signed in 2004 and began making a name for himself.
In 2007, after securing two Primeira Liga titles with Porto, Pepe made a high-profile move to Real Madrid.
Over the next decade, he became a key figure for Los Blancos, featuring in 229 La Liga matches and helping the club secure three league titles, two Copas del Rey, and three Champions League trophies.
After a brief 18-month period with Besiktas, Pepe returned to Porto for the final six years of his playing career, adding two more league titles and four Tacas de Portugal to his collection.
On the international stage, Pepe made his debut for Portugal in 2007 and earned 141 caps, making him the third-most-capped player in the nation’s history.
He represented Portugal in five European Championships, including Euro 2024, and four World Cups. A highlight of his international career was playing a pivotal role in Portugal’s Euro 2016 triumph.