One amongst the most embellished heart-backs of the twenty first century, Kepler Laveran de Lima Ferreira, lovingly known as “Pepe”, has launched his retirement from legit soccer. The 41-365 days-historical posted a 33-minute-lengthy YouTube video on Thursday, thanking his family, fans, and all americans he worked with for standing by him by arrangement of thick and skinny over the closing 22 years.
“I are looking to thank God for giving me the data to be ready to proceed my paddle. I’m able to’t advantage nevertheless thank your total presidents who wager on me and believed in me. Your total workers of your total clubs I’ve been to, they’re the soul and essence. And of the national team. All my teammates and coaches, who helped me grow and compete each day. Your total fans, who’re the soul of football,” acknowledged Pepe (by skill of 90min).
“To Jorge Mendes, to Gestifute, to my mother, who used to be vital in my paddle by letting me fly in the direction of my dream, which used to be to be a legit footballer. To all my family and pals, significantly my accomplice, who used to be my home in my absence. My young of us for believing in me, for being a predominant enhance in my existence, for supporting me after I left home to play. They were the enhance I vital to be ready to lunge alongside with a clear ethical sense. I would are looking to thank everyone, give them a principal thank you and a principal hug of gratitude. Thanks all very principal.”
122 años de História !
Felicidades @realmadrid ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/43ufQeH4ns— Pepe (@officialpepe) March 6, 2024
Pepe started his profession at Maritimo earlier than becoming a member of FC Porto in July 2004. Over the next three years, he developed into even handed one of many supreme defenders within the country and sealed a mega transfer to Precise Madrid. Between 2007 and 2017, he won it all with Los Blancos, forming a daring heart-advantage pairing with Sergio Ramos. He before every little thing left Madrid for Besiktas, nevertheless he couldn’t decide in, which led to his return to boyhood club FC Porto. For Portugal, Pepe performed in 141 games, scoring eight instances. He holds the anecdote for being the oldest player and goalscorer in FIFA World Cup history.
In direction of his renowned profession, Pepe performed with some of the supreme avid gamers within the commerce. In at the novel time’s checklist, we are able to detect the highest five who performed most assuredly with the legendary heart-advantage. Let’s open up!
#5 Karim Benzema (Precise Madrid): 222 Matches
Karim Benzema joined Precise Madrid within the summertime of 2009, two years after Pepe sealed his transfer from Porto. The pair fleet struck up a friendship, which finest strengthened over the next nine years. The heart-forward and heart-forward performed 222 fits collectively for the 15-time European champions. They blended for three targets — all of which Pepe location up for Benzema.
Benzema and Pepe won it all between 2009 and 2017. They illustrious two La Liga titles, three UEFA Champions League trophies, two FIFA Club World Cups, two UEFA Supercups, two Copas del Rey, and one Supercopa de Espana.
#4 Marcelo (Precise Madrid): 224 Matches
The bond between a heart-advantage and a beefy-advantage is important. Even a hint of miscommunication might perchance presumably well additionally be disastrous, because it gifts the opposing team with a gap to bustle at the goalkeeper. Luckily, Precise Madrid did no longer comprise to be concerned about that for a decade. Left-advantage Marcelo and heart-advantage Pepe had a telepathic thought and seldom allowed the opposition to bound between them.
Marcelo and Pepe both joined in 2007 and spent 10 years collectively at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, taking half in 224 fits. The defensive duo won a total of 15 trophies, collectively with three La Liga titles and three UEFA Champions League trophies.
#3 Iker Casillas (Precise Madrid & FC Porto): 237 Matches
Iker Casillas used to be already a Precise Madrid icon when Pepe joined from FC Porto within the summertime of 2007. The Portuguese defender stayed shut to ‘San Iker’, slowly and step by step discovering out the strategies of Precise Madrid. Sooner than Casillas present an explanation for Los Blancos a tearful goodbye in July 2015, the pair had performed 222 fits collectively, profitable two La Liga titles, one UEFA Champions League, and two Copas del Rey, among other honors.
Casillas joined Porto following his departure from Precise Madrid. In the second half of of the 2018-19 season, Pepe joined Casillas in Portugal. Sadly, fans couldn’t get principal of the duo. They finest got to play 15 fits collectively earlier than Casillas hung up his gloves.
#2 Sergio Ramos (Precise Madrid): 252 Matches
Sergio Ramos used to be Pepe’s partner in crime for the duration of their decade-lengthy rule at Precise Madrid. The daring heart-backs performed 252 games collectively, combining for three targets. Together, the duo won three La Liga titles and three UEFA Champions League trophies for Los Merengues, among other honors.
Ramos, who is within the imply time with out a club, took to Instagram to tip his hat to his outmoded partner.
The Precise Madrid myth wrote:
“A big, a warrior with whom I might perchance presumably well portion many fits, victories and titles. It used to be a true pleasure to play alongside you, brother. Completely a few comparable to you. 🤜🤛
Revel in this new piece of your existence. Wish you the supreme my friend.”
#1 Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal & Precise Madrid): 348 Matches
Pepe performed 348 fits with even handed one of his closest pals Cristiano Ronaldo for the duration of Precise Madrid and Portugal. The Portuguese duo performed 241 fits collectively for Los Blancos between 2009 and 2017, combining for eight targets. They illustrious two La Liga titles and three UEFA Champions League trophies collectively. For the national team, they fought collectively in 107 games, linking up for a solitary map. They won 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 friend Pepe on Thursday. Taking to X (previously Twitter), Ronaldo wrote:
“There are no longer sufficient words to particular how principal you imply to me, friend.
“We won every little thing there used to be to salvage on the self-discipline, nevertheless the supreme success is the friendship and appreciate I comprise for you. You’re queer, my brother. Thanks for thus principal.“
