Real Madrid legend Pepe, 41, announces retirement from football after winning trophy every 26 games he played

REAL MADRID and Portugal legend Pepe has announced his retirement from football.

The 41-year-old enjoyed a playing career that spanned over 22 years.

AFP

Pepe has announced his retirement[/caption]

EPA

Pepe won the Champions League three times with Real Madrid[/caption]

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He also won Euro 2016 with Portugal[/caption]

During that time he established himself as one of the most decorated footballers of all time.

Among his accolades are three Champions League titles, three La Liga titles, five Primeira Liga titles, five Portuguese Super Cups, three Spanish Super Cups, two Club World Cups and a European Championship title.

Pepe kicked off his professional playing career with Portuguese side Maritimo back in 2002 but quickly caught the attention of Champions League giants Porto.

He spent three years with Porto before sealing a move to Real Madrid in 2007.

The centre-back went on to make 334 appearances for the La Liga superstars in a decade and became one of the best defenders in the world.

Pepe then spent a season with Besiktas before returning to Porto, where he enjoyed the final five years of his playing career.

He was also capped 141 times for the Portugal national team and became the oldest player to star at a European Championship this summer at Euro 2024.

The defender played 878 matches in total and won 34 trophies, meaning he averaged a trophy every 26 games.

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Pepe announced his retirement with a 33-minute video on YouTube where he looked back at some of his career highlights.

At the end of the video he packed all of his shirts into a box alongside his family.

He said: “I want to thank God for giving me the wisdom to be able to continue my journey. I can’t help but thank all the presidents who bet on me and believed in me.

“All the employees of all the clubs I’ve been to, they are the soul and essence.

“And of the national team. All my teammates and coaches, who helped me grow and compete every day. All the fans, who are the soul of football.

“To Jorge Mendes, to GestiFute, to my mother, who was essential in my journey by letting me fly towards my dream, which was to be a professional footballer.

“To all my friends and family, especially my wife, who was my home in my absence.

“My children for believing in me, for being a fundamental support in my life, for supporting me when I left home to play. They were the support I needed to be able to go with a clear conscience.

“I would like to thank everyone, give them a big thank you and a big hug of gratitude. Thank you all very much.”