Pepe, a centre back who used to play for Real Madrid and Portugal with Cristiano Ronaldo, retired, and Ronaldo led the honours to the player.

Sergio Ramos and Luka Modric also sent the football icon heartfelt messages after he ended his 23-year career this afternoon.

In 2001, the 41-year-old made his debut for Maritimo in Portugal. He went on to play 737 times for his club and 141 times for his country in a very successful career.

The star player won three Champions Leagues with Real Madrid. He also won three La Liga wins and two Copa del Reys. He will always remember the time when he and Portugal won the European Championships in 2016, beating the hosts, France, in the final.

Many of the Portuguese legend’s old teammates have said nice things about him. He was known for playing aggressively and protecting without taking any chances.

Pepe helped Ronaldo and Real Madrid become the best team in Europe for a long time. Ronaldo wrote an emotional ode to his friend on Twitter.

I can’t find the right words to tell you how much I love you, friend.

“We won every game there was to play, but the best thing is that I now have a friend and respect for you.” 

“My brother, you are one of a kind.” Thanks a lot.

Over the course of ten years, Pepe and Sergio Ramos, a Spanish centre back, made a great team.

His fierce Madrid friend wrote on Instagram, “A true warrior.” A lot of games, wins, and awards all at once. 

No changes were made to the original sentence. 

“My friend, enjoy this new part of your life. I wish you the best.”

Real, the team he played for for a long time, also wrote a long post about their club hero.

“Real Madrid F.C. wants to show their thanks, love, and respect for one of the great legends of our club and world football after Pepe announced that he would no longer play professional football,” it started.

“Pepe played for Real Madrid from 2007 to 2017, and during that time he won everything with our team.” 

“He wore our shirt for ten years and 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.”

For the Portuguese national team, Pepe was one of the best players ever. They won one European Championship and one Nations League.

Also, it’s part of FC Porto’s past. He won one Intercontinental Cup, four Leagues, five Cups, four Portuguese Super Cups, and one League Cup with the team.

“Pepe was one of the best defenders for Real Madrid and football in Europe. Everyone at Real Madrid will always remember and love him.” Real Madrid is happy for him and his family as he starts a new part of his life.

Diogo Dalot, a defender for Manchester United and Portugal, just shared a love heart to show how he felt about the icon.

Emmanuel Adebayor, who played 14 games with Pepe while on loan at Real Madrid in 2011, told Pepe, “Congratulations on a beautiful career bro.”

Luka Modric, a player for Real Madrid, added, “Leyenda” (Legend).

For the huge amount of €30 million, Pepe went from Porto to Real in 2007. However, the price tag didn’t bother him.

He won 15 major club titles with Real Madrid, as well as the 2016 Euros and the 2019 Nations League with Portugal.

The centre back then went back to Porto in 2019 when he was 36 years old. He started a five-year rebirth during which he won two more Portuguese League titles to add to the two he won during his first time at the club.

After losing to France in the quarterfinals at the Euros this summer, he waved goodbye to the national team with tears in his eyes.