FIFA World Cup: Pepe retires at age 41 Portugal excessive, former Real Madrid protector known for hostility, trophy-filled occupation. Cristiano Ronaldo paid a compliment to his longtime Portugal colleague Pepe after the protector proclaimed his retirement from football on Thursday at the age of 41. Pepe's last willing came at Euro 2024, where Portugal was beaten by France on penalties in the quarterfinals.
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Pepe turned into the oldest player to be seen at a European Competition finals tournament. He made 141 arrivals for Portugal, only behind Ronaldo's 211 and João Moutinho's 146. Pepe, Moutinho, and Ronaldo were supporters of the Portugal team that tired host state France 1-0 in the 2016 European Tournament final.
Ronaldo posted on X that there are not sufficient words to rapid how much you mean to me, friend. We gained everything there was to victory on the field, but the greatest success is the bond and respect I have for you. You are irreplaceable, my brother. Thank you so much. Pepe also consumed 10 times of year at Real Madrid eight of them beside Ronaldo where he gained 3 La Liga awards and 3 Champions League trophies, as well as 2 Club FIFA World Cups.
Pepe linked to the Spanish side in 2007 from Porto and returned to the Portuguese club in 2019 where he kept on until the end of his profession. Winning four Primeira Liga titles across his two incantations at the club. The iconic defender stated his retirement from soccer after a fruitful career. Portuguese iconic center-back Pepe proclaimed his retirement from professional soccer at age 41 on Thursday.
After his agreement with Porto finished at the end of June. Pepe made 737 arrivals across four clubs and 141 caps for Portugal over 23 years, as well as playing in UEFA Euro 2024 at age 41, becoming the eldest player to ever play in that competition. Over his profession, Pepe played with Porto, Maritimo, Besiktas, and Real Madrid, before being successful back to Porto in 2019 where he frolicked his last five seasons.
The expert won four Portuguese leagues, five Portuguese cups, three La Liga awards, two Spanish Super Cups, two Copa del Rey, three Club FIFA World Cups, three Champions Leagues, two UEFA Supercups, and more. With his general team, he won the 2019 Nations League but most particularly UEFA 2016 Euro against France in one of the most extraordinary moments of the last decade in soccer.
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Pepe is obviously to retire after playing his last season at Porto and the last competition with Portugal this summer, notwithstanding being one of the best players in the competition. Over his career, he became famous not only for his presentations but also because of some crazy instants that made him an iconic figure of the game. Let's rank his craziest five instants:
5. Unstoppable vs. Juventus (2021)
Let's start with an irrational but good instant. After coming back to Porto in 2019, Pepe was known to lead the self-justifying line against some of the main teams around Europe. In 2021, when he was about to go 39, he challenged Juventus and his national team colleague Cristiano Ronaldo. Who was trying to win the Winners League with the Italian side? Pepe put on one of the highest self-justifying performances and carried his fellow player to the next round.
4. Diving vs. Morocco (2018)
During the 2018 FIFA World Cup, the Portuguese protector didn't like how Morocco's protector Mehdi Benatia touched him, trying to speak with him. Pepe pacifist the crushed and from that moment on it started a big conversation between the two players. However, the overreaction of Pepe left many thunderstruck that day, seeing the player he was.
3. Red card at World Cup (2014)
A red card, one of many, in contradiction of Thomas Muller and Germany at the 2014 FIFA World Cup. 30 minutes into the match, Portugal was already 2-0 unhappy with Germany in the initial game of the competition. Pepe, it seemed, accidentally touched the face of Muller with his hand, and the German directly fell to the pitch. The referee had no worries and showed the red card to Pepe, who wasted the second game of the group stage.
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When he was frolicking at Real Madrid, the Clasico games alongside FC Barcelona were mainly strong and Pepe was part of some foolish moments. For example, in January 2012, he walked on Lionel Messi's hand throughout a Copa del Rey game, making a lot of noise.
However, he made an apology for the event but also said it wasn't deliberate. Pepe was reserved before in that game, but the referee did not show him a second yellow for the step on Messi's hand. How many FIFA World Cup titles has Portugal won?
1. Ten-game ban (2009)
Last but not least, Pepe was disqualified for 10 games. Yes, you've read it right. When he was frolicking for Real Madrid in 2009, he voted for a penalty against Getafe after entangling Javi Casquero with two kicks. One of those went near to his back and back of the lapel as well when Javi Casquero was already hopeless on the ground.
After he was expelled for 10 games, he also reflected on retiring from the game, and said, If I feel that I'm not in the right nation to return to playing. I will endure my normal life and try to do something else to support my family. After 23 years as a specialized footballer, Pepe has broadcast his retirement from the sport.
The center-back made up 742 arrivals during his club career and was topped 141 times by Portugal, too. Now, he will get ready for life after football. In his career, he said that I want to express thanks to God for giving me the understanding to be able to carry on my journey. I cannot be unsuccessful in thanking all the leaders who believed in me and believed in me.
All the staff of all the clubs I have been to are the soul and spirit of the national team. All my colleagues and coaches, helped me grow and contest every day. All the supporters are the depth of football. To Jorge Mendes, to Gestifute, to my mother, who was vital in my journey by letting me fly in the direction of my dream, which was to be an expert footballer.
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To all my friends and family, particularly my wife, who was my home in my non-appearance. My children for trusting in me, for being an important support in my life, and for backing me up when I left home to play. They were the provision I needed to be gifted to go with a clear integrity. I would like to thank the whole world, give them my thanks and a hug of gratefulness. Thank you all very much.
Pepe will become depressed as one of the extreme defenders of his cohort. The permanency of his career is truly extraordinary and over the periods he has won the European Competition, Champions League, Primeira Liga, La Liga, and more. Pepe made a name for himself at Porto originally and he ended his career at the Portuguese club, too. Pepe, whose last willing in football was a Euro 2024 quarter-final conquest to France last month.
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