The 41-year-old veteran Pepe decided to hang up his boots for good. The reactions were swift, with Madrid, the Portuguese national team, Porto and Cristiano Ronaldo taking centre stage. Also Sergio Ramos, with whom they played together in the ‘Merengue’ team.
The football world is saddened by Pepe’s retirement. The 41-year-old Portuguese international has decided to hang up his boots for good. The Portuguese national team, Porto, Real Madrid and Cristiano himself have all reacted to the retirement of the legendary defender.
Pepe was “one of the best centre-backs in history”, said the president of the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF), Fernando Gomes, who praised the ex-Madrid player’s “extraordinary professionalism”.
Spain coach Roberto Martinez congratulated the former defender on a “successful career” and thanked him for his contribution to the team.
“Thank you for what you have done for the national team, for what you have done in your fifth European Championship, which is an example. You have left a legacy for future generations of Portugal,” said the Spaniard.
Meanwhile, Porto, the club Pepe played for between 2004 and 2007 and then between 2019 and 2024, praised on social media the “countless nights of total dedication” of their former captain.
“A career and a legacy that will always be an example for any ‘Portista’. There are only two words possible: congratulations and thank you,” the Blue and Whites shared.
Real Madrid, where he played for a decade, bade farewell to the former defender with “gratitude” and “admiration”, and described him as one of the “great legends” of the club, with whom he won 14 titles, including three Champions League titles.
“Pepe was also one of the greatest players on the Portuguese national team, with whom he won 1 European Championship and 1 Nations League. During the ten seasons over which he defended our shirt, he won 14 titles in 334 games: 3 European Cups, 2 Club World Cups, 2 European Super Cups, 3 Leagues, 2 King’s Cups and 2 Spanish Super Cups.”
His inseparable team-mate Cristiano, both in Madrid and in Portugal, dedicated some emotional words to him: “There are no words to express how much you mean to my friend. We won everything there was to win on the pitch, but the greatest achievement is the friendship and respect I have for you. You are unique, my brother. Thank you for so much.”
Finally, Sergio Ramos, with whom he shared the leadership of the Real Madrid defence, also reacted to the retirement of his former team-mate. “A great man, a warrior with whom I was able to share many matches, triumphs and titles. It was a real pleasure to play alongside you, brother. There are few like you. Enjoy this new stage of your life, I wish you all the best, my friend,” he said.
