Former Porto and Real Madrid stalwart Képler Laveran de Lima Ferreira, better known as Pepe, has brought down the curtain on a stellar footballing career.
The grizzled Portuguese centre-back, who turned 41 earlier this year, made the announcement in a heartfelt video message to fans.
Having cut his teeth at Porto, Pepe went on to forge an iconic partnership with Sergio Ramos at Real Madrid, where they formed the bedrock of one of the most formidable defences in football history.
His combative style and unwavering determination earned him both admiration and notoriety in equal measure.
The veteran defender represented Portugal with distinction, playing a pivotal role in their Euro 2016 triumph.
His final bow came at Euro 2024, where he defied his advancing years to showcase his enduring quality.
In his emotional farewell, Pepe thanked his family, teammates, coaches, and fans for their unwavering support throughout his career.
As the dust settles on a truly remarkable playing journey, the football world will undoubtedly be poorer without the presence of this titan of the game.
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