WATCH: Pepe left in tears after watching video of him embracing Cristiano Ronaldo in his last ever game for Portugal
Portugal’s legendary defender Pepe decided to hang up his boots, ending his illustrious 23-year career on Thursday, August 8. With over 700 appearances to his name, Pepe announced his retirement on social media and shared a 30-minute video on his YouTube channel looking back at his career.
In the video, a tearful Pepe is seen being supported by Cristiano Ronaldo after their exit from the 2024 Euros quarter-finals against France.
Watching that moment again, Pepe was certainly overwhelmed with emotion and could not hold back his tears. That game was the defender’s final one, and the defeat clearly had a significant impact on him.
Here is the video capturing the moment:
Ronaldo and Pepe have enjoyed a strong bond over the years, having played together for both Portugal and Real Madrid. In fact, Pepe is the player who has appeared in the most games alongside Ronaldo, with the pair racking up 348 appearances for club and country, while winning numerous honors together.
Ronaldo also posted a heartfelt message honoring their friendship and showing respect for the 41-year-old, who last played for Porto. His message on Instagram read:
"No words to express how much you mean to me my friend. We won everything there was to win on the field, but the biggest achievement is the friendship and respect I have for you. You are unique my brother. Thank you for so much.”
The two players are especially celebrated by Real Madrid fans, with the pair winning 12 trophies together at the club. They were also crucial to the Portugal team that secured the European Championship in 2016.
An overview of Pepe’s career
Born in Brazil, Pepe started his career there before moving to Portugal to join Marítimo in 2002. After two successful seasons with the club, he was signed by Porto, where his impact was significant enough to attract Real Madrid, who secured him for a reported €30 million transfer fee in 2007.
In Madrid, Pepe rose to prominence, as he became a key figure in the team and formed a formidable partnership with Sergio Ramos over the years. Over his ten-year tenure, he made 334 appearances and scored 15 goals as well.
Pepe continued to perform at a high level after moving to Beşiktaş, before returning to Porto in January 2019. Since then, he has been a key player for the club, helping the team win the league title twice and the Taca de Portugal four times.
Pepe was also instrumental in Portugal’s success, contributing to their victories in the 2016 Euros and the 2019 Nations League. With 141 appearances for the national team, he holds the record for the third-most caps in Portuguese football history.