Pepe leaves football at 41. A quarter of a century of snarling at opposing strikers

In the summer of farewells (Angel Di Maria to Argentina, Toni Kroos to football) the farewell of Pepe arrives suddenly like one of his tackles. The Portuguese central defender, former Real Madrid and captain of the Porto he said stop at 41, retracing the magical moments of his career in a 33-minute video on his YouTube channel. Twice 3, his historic jersey number. The one with which he won everything, from Euro 2016 to the tre Champions League with the Real Madrid shirt.

Pepe’s records

Speaking of the European Championship, in the last edition in Germany he had just set the record for the oldest player ever to reach the final phase of the competition. Against the Czech Republic he surpassed Gábor Király’s record, and then improved it further in the quarterfinals against France, when he took to the field at 41 years and 130 days. “Pepe? You can’t believe he’s 41 years old. He’s a great example of Portuguese football. He’s a professional 24 hours a day, he trains, he sleeps well. Then there’s the love for the game and genetics,” commented the national team coach. Robert Martinez after the 3-0 win against Turkey in the group stage. The list of requirements for an endless career, 878 games long and studded with 34 trophies.

Pepe’s Career

First the experience at Corinthiansclub of his hometown (Maceió, Brazil), then the transfer to Portugal, to Maritime. As the GuardianPepe arrived in Europe with 5 euros in his pocket and a choice to make: find something to eat or call his mother. A difficult decision for the boy who slept in his parents’ bed until he was 17. And who wasn’t even supposed to come to Portugal. Because Nelo Vingada and Carlos Pereira, respectively the coach and president of Maritimo, had flown to Brazil not to take him, but the Corinthians striker. “Please make him look good, don’t tackle him,” club president João Feijó had recommended to the defender. It goes without saying that Pepe didn’t listen to those words and that the striker didn’t even touch a ball in front of the Portuguese scouts. Pepe feared he had gotten himself into trouble and instead: “Do you want to come to Portugal?”. No sooner said than done. In 2004 he moved to Porto, three years later to Real Madridwith whom he won everything. An invisible star, in the shadow of supernovas (from Cristiano Ronaldo to Luka Modric), but always present.

Pepe’s Characteristics

Concrete, like his style, often criticized for his harshness, as evidenced by the 23 red cards and over 220 yellow cards received in his career. Without forgetting the Record 10-match suspension received in 2009 after kicking and punching Javi Casquero and Juan Albin in the match against Getafe won 3-2 by Real Madrid. After Spain, a brief spell in Turkey, at Besiktasthen his return to Porto. Not even the introduction of VAR has softened his old-school defender’s blows. Just remember the slap against Matheus Reis in the match lost last season against Sporting. In short, he also left his mark at Porto. Not only on his opponents, but also on the pitch. In November 2023, scoring in the Champions League against Antwerp, at 40 years and 254 days he became the oldest scorer in the competition. The previous record belonged to Francesco Tottiwho was 38 years and 59 days old when he scored against CSKA Moscow on 25 November 2014. The final acts of his record-breaking show. Then thanks Pepe. Thank you, like the title of his farewell letter, adorned with the infinity symbol.