Pepe Takes His Final Step: Cristiano Ronaldo’s Heartfelt Tribute to His Longtime Friend
The world of Portuguese football was deeply affected this Thursday by the announcement of the retirement of Pepe, the iconic 41-year-old defender. A month after shedding tears during Portugal’s elimination in the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 against France, Pepe has decided to end an exceptional career, both at club and national level.
Cristiano Ronaldo, a long-time friend and teammate, was quick to react to the news. On Instagram, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner expressed his admiration and gratitude towards the man he considers a brother: “There are no words to express how much you mean to me, my friend. We have won everything on the pitch, but the greatest achievement is the friendship and respect I have for you. You are special, my brother. Thank you very much.” Football.fr reports.
Ronaldo and Pepe’s history dates back to 2007, when the defender, a naturalised Portuguese national, joined the Seleção. Their bond grew stronger when Ronaldo signed for Real Madrid in 2009, where Pepe was already playing. Together, they formed a formidable duo, contributing to the Merengues’ historic successes with two La Liga titles (2012, 2017) and three Champions League triumphs (2014, 2016, 2017). Their collaboration in the national team was also crowned with success, with a memorable victory at Euro 2016, where Pepe was voted man of the match in the final against France.
After returning to FC Porto in 2018, Pepe continued to impress with his consistency and professionalism. He ended his career in style, becoming the oldest outfield player in Champions League history. Although he could have extended his contract for another season, Pepe chose to call it a day, leaving behind a career that included 141 caps for Portugal.
In a final message marked by sobriety, Pepe thanked his fans on Instagram, posting a video accompanied by a simple “Thank you”. A page is turning for this football great, but the friendship between Pepe and Ronaldo will remain unbreakable.
