Portugal's 41-year-old defender Pepe announces retirement

Pepe, 41, officially retired from football, ending a remarkable career marked by numerous accolades. This summer, he became the oldest player to feature in a European Championship finals, with his final match being Portugal's quarter-final loss to France in a penalty shootout.

The former Real Madrid centre-back earned 141 caps for Portugal—only Cristiano Ronaldo and João Moutinho have more appearances for the national team. Throughout his career, Pepe also played for clubs like Porto, Besiktas, and Maritimo.

In an emotional 33-minute video posted online on Thursday, Pepe expressed his gratitude to those who supported him throughout his career. "I can't help but thank all the presidents who bet on me and believed in my ability to perform my work," he said. "To all the employees of the clubs I've played for, who are the soul and essence of the clubs and the national team. I want to extend a heartfelt thank you and a hug of gratitude to all of you."

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Pepe's illustrious career includes winning Euro 2016 with Portugal, as well as three Champions League and three La Liga titles during his decade-long tenure at Real Madrid. He made 334 appearances for the Spanish giants during a period when they dominated European football.

In addition to his achievements, Pepe made history last year by becoming the oldest goalscorer in Champions League history when he scored for Porto against Antwerp in the group stages. However, his career was also notable for his disciplinary record, as he received numerous red cards.

Former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo shared a heartfelt tribute on Instagram, saying, "There are no words to express what Pepe means to me. We won everything there was to win on the pitch, but the biggest triumph is the friendship and respect I have for you. You're unique, my brother. Thank you for so much."