Cristiano Ronaldo has delivered a heartfelt message to his former Real Madrid and Portugal colleague, Pepe, following the announcement of the latter’s retirement.
The 41-year-old centre-back officially hung up his boots after an illustrious 20-year playing career on Thursday.
In a poignant video shared online, Pepe expressed his gratitude, stating, “I want to thank God for giving me the wisdom to continue my journey. I also owe a debt of gratitude to all the presidents who placed their trust in me throughout my career, allowing me to carry out my work effectively.
“I extend my thanks to all the staff members at the clubs I’ve played for, as they embody the very spirit and essence of both the clubs and our national team. I would also like to acknowledge everyone who has supported me behind the scenes. From the bottom of my heart, thank you to everyone, and a warm hug of gratitude to all.”
Having first teamed up on the pitch in 2007 during a Euro 2008 qualifying match, Ronaldo and Pepe formed a formidable partnership, playing together 348 times in total. Of those appearances, 107 were for the national team, culminating in Pepe’s last game—a heartbreaking penalty shootout defeat to France in the quarter-finals of Euro 2024.
However, the majority of their matches took place at Real Madrid, where Pepe made 334 appearances, netting 15 goals and winning the Champions League three times. During their time at Los Blancos, Ronaldo and Pepe shared the pitch 241 times, enjoying a period of remarkable triumph.
Taking to social media to pay tribute, Ronaldo wrote: “Words cannot describe what you mean to me, my friend. We achieved everything we set out to do on the field, but the real treasure is the friendship and respect I hold for you. You are one of a kind, my brother. Thank you for everything.”
In their own statement, Pepe’s former club acknowledged him as “one of Real Madrid’s finest defenders and a standout figure in European football,” emphasizing that he will forever hold a special place in the hearts of Real Madrid supporters. The club also wished Pepe and his family all the best as they embark on this new chapter of their lives.
At the age of 39, Ronaldo remains active in professional football, currently playing for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, while Pepe concluded his club career at , where it all began for him.
