Pepe Retires from International and Club Football
The veteran Portuguese defender Pepe has officially announced his retirement from both international and club football. The 40-year-old played his final match for Portugal in the Euro 2024 quarter-final, which ended in a loss. He leaves the national team as the oldest player to ever take the field in the main stage of the European Championship.
Pepe enjoyed a decorated career, making 141 appearances for Portugal and winning the Euro 2016 title. He also enjoyed success at Real Madrid, winning three La Liga titles, three Champions League titles, and two Club World Cups.
Pepe’s journey began at Portuguese club Porto before he joined Real Madrid in 2007. He spent ten seasons at the Spanish club before moving to Besiktas in 2017. He later returned to Porto in 2019.