(Lisbon) Portuguese international Pepe, 41, announced on Thursday that he was ending his career, in a video published on social networks.
Published at 4:29 p.m.
“I would like to thank everyone,” Pepe said in a video posted on his Instagram account, listing the clubs he has played for, the national team and his family.
“Everyone gave me the support I needed to leave with a clear conscience,” said the central defender, who is saying goodbye after participating in Euro 2024 and after the end of his contract with FC Porto.
Born in Brazil and arriving in Portugal at the age of 18, Képler Laveran Lima Ferreira, his real name, began his professional career at Maritimo de Madeira.
After his first stint at Porto (2004-2007), he played for ten years at Real Madrid.
After a season and a half with the Turkish side Besiktas, he returned to Porto in January 2019.
“His career is an example,” said FC Porto.
With 141 caps and 8 goals, Pepe made history for the Seleçao, with whom he played for 17 years.
He is the third most capped player in the history of the national team, behind Cristiano Ronaldo (212) and Joao Moutinho (146), the Portuguese football league said in a statement.
Ronaldo’s tribute
During his career and his 895 games played, the Portuguese-Brazilian defender, who won Euro 2016, participated in nine final stages, in total, of World Cups and European Championships, indicates the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF).
“Pepe is an example of extraordinary professionalism, dedication” and “an enormous passion for football,” stressed FPF president Fernando Gomes, who thanked “one of the best players in history.”
“Congratulations on your successful career” and “the legacy left to future generations,” wrote national team coach Roberto Martinez.
The player, who won Euro 2016 against France, played his last match on July 5 in Hamburg, losing to Les Bleus (0-0, 5 shots on goal to 3), in the quarter-finals of Euro-2024.
Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo also paid tribute to Pepe’s career.
“You are unique, my brother,” the 39-year-old five-time Ballon d’Or winner wrote on social media, adding that together they had “won everything that was possible to win on the pitch, but the greatest conquest is friendship.”
