One of the adorned center-backs of the twenty first century, Kepler Laveran de Lima Ferreira, lovingly generally known as “Pepe”, has introduced his retirement from skilled soccer. The 41-year-old posted a 33-minute-long YouTube video on Thursday, thanking his household, followers, and everybody he labored with for standing by him by means of thick and skinny during the last 22 years.
“I wish to thank God for giving me the knowledge to have the ability to proceed my journey. I can’t assist however thank all of the presidents who guess on me and believed in me. All the workers of all of the golf equipment I’ve been to, they’re the soul and essence. And of the nationwide workforce. All my teammates and coaches, who helped me develop and compete every single day. All of the followers, who’re the soul of soccer,” stated Pepe (through 90min).
“To Jorge Mendes, to Gestifute, to my mom, who was important in my journey by letting me fly in the direction of my dream, which was to be an expert footballer. To all my family and friends, particularly my spouse, who was my residence in my absence. My youngsters for believing in me, for being a basic assist in my life, for supporting me once I left residence to play. They have been the assist I wanted to have the ability to go along with a transparent conscience. I want to thank everybody, give them a giant thanks and a giant hug of gratitude. Thanks all very a lot.”
122 años de História !
Felicidades @realmadrid ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/43ufQeH4ns— Pepe (@officialpepe) March 6, 2024
Pepe began his profession at Maritimo earlier than becoming a member of FC Porto in July 2004. Over the next three years, he developed into the most effective defenders within the nation and sealed a mega transfer to Actual Madrid. Between 2007 and 2017, he gained all of it with Los Blancos, forming a formidable center-back pairing with Sergio Ramos. He initially left Madrid for Besiktas, however he couldn’t settle in, which led to his return to boyhood membership FC Porto. For Portugal, Pepe performed in 141 video games, scoring eight instances. He holds the document for being the oldest participant and goalscorer in FIFA World Cup historical past.
All through his illustrious profession, Pepe performed with a few of the finest gamers within the enterprise. In in the present day’s listing, we’ll discover the highest 5 who performed most often with the legendary center-back. Let’s start!
#5 Karim Benzema (Actual Madrid): 222 Matches
Karim Benzema joined Actual Madrid in the summertime of 2009, two years after Pepe sealed his transfer from Porto. The pair rapidly struck up a friendship, which solely strengthened over the next 9 years. The middle-forward and center-forward performed 222 matches collectively for the 15-time European champions. They mixed for 3 targets — all of which Pepe arrange for Benzema.
Benzema and Pepe gained all of it between 2009 and 2017. They celebrated two La Liga titles, three UEFA Champions League trophies, two FIFA Membership World Cups, two UEFA Supercups, two Copas del Rey, and one Supercopa de Espana.
#4 Marcelo (Actual Madrid): 224 Matches
The bond between a center-back and a full-back is essential. Even a touch of miscommunication could be disastrous, because it presents the opposing workforce with a gap to run on the goalkeeper. Fortunately, Actual Madrid didn’t have to fret about that for a decade. Left-back Marcelo and center-back Pepe had a telepathic understanding and infrequently allowed the opposition to slide between them.
Marcelo and Pepe each joined in 2007 and spent 10 years collectively on the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, taking part in 224 matches. The defensive duo gained a complete of 15 trophies, together with three La Liga titles and three UEFA Champions League trophies.
#3 Iker Casillas (Actual Madrid & FC Porto): 237 Matches
Iker Casillas was already a Actual Madrid icon when Pepe joined from FC Porto in the summertime of 2007. The Portuguese defender stayed near ‘San Iker’, slowly and steadily studying the methods of Actual Madrid. Earlier than Casillas bid Los Blancos a tearful goodbye in July 2015, the pair had performed 222 matches collectively, profitable two La Liga titles, one UEFA Champions League, and two Copas del Rey, amongst different honors.
Casillas joined Porto following his departure from Actual Madrid. Within the second half of the 2018-19 season, Pepe joined Casillas in Portugal. Sadly, followers couldn’t get a lot of the duo. They solely received to play 15 matches collectively earlier than Casillas hung up his gloves.
#2 Sergio Ramos (Actual Madrid): 252 Matches
Sergio Ramos was Pepe’s accomplice in crime throughout their decade-long rule at Actual Madrid. The formidable center-backs performed 252 video games collectively, combining for 3 targets. Collectively, the duo gained three La Liga titles and three UEFA Champions League trophies for Los Merengues, amongst different honors.
Ramos, who’s at present with out a membership, took to Instagram to tip his hat to his former accomplice.
The Actual Madrid legend wrote:
“A fantastic, a warrior with whom I may share many matches, victories and titles. It was an actual pleasure to play alongside you, brother. Only a few such as you. 🤜🤛
Get pleasure from this new part of your life. Want you the perfect my buddy.”
#1 Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal & Actual Madrid): 348 Matches
Pepe performed 348 matches with certainly one of his closest pals Cristiano Ronaldo throughout Actual Madrid and Portugal. The Portuguese duo performed 241 matches collectively for Los Blancos between 2009 and 2017, combining for eight targets. They celebrated two La Liga titles and three UEFA Champions League trophies collectively. For the nationwide workforce, they fought collectively in 107 video games, linking up for a solitary purpose. They gained the UEFA EURO 2016 and UEFA Nations League 2019 for Os Navegadores.
Não existem palavras suficientes para expressar o quanto significas para mim, amigo.
Ganhámos tudo o que havia para ganhar em campo, mas a maior conquista é a amizade e o respeito que tenho por ti. És único, meu irmão.
Obrigado por tanto. pic.twitter.com/2kNS889peS
— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) August 8, 2024
Ronaldo penned a heartfelt farewell message for his buddy Pepe on Thursday. Taking to X (previously Twitter), Ronaldo wrote:
“There usually are not sufficient phrases to precise how a lot you imply to me, buddy.
“We gained the whole lot there was to win on the sphere, however the biggest achievement is the friendship and respect I’ve for you. You might be distinctive, my brother. Thanks for a lot.“
