🎥 Red cards, records! Looking back on Pepe's legendary 23-year career.

Legendary center back Pepe officially announced his retirement from football on Thursday, capping a 23-year career at the top.

The 41-year-old started his career with Marítimo before joining Portuguese giants Porto. Next came a move to Real Madrid, followed by a farewell tour with Besiktas and Porto.

His career was memorable, with 141 caps for Portugal, including the 2016 EUROs victory. Here are some of his top moments from 878 games and 34 awards.

A Los Blancos legend.

Following an outstanding performance for Porto, Pepe joined Real Madrid in 2007, where he formed an excellent connection with Sergio Ramos at the back.

He played there for ten seasons, winning 13 championships and making 334 appearances.

⚪️ Real Madrid unveiled new signing Pepe #OTD in 2007. The rest is history.

"It was great to spend ten years at the world's largest club. "I was very happy the first day I arrived in Madrid," Pepe stated in his retirement statement.

"After 10 years I left with my head held high, I always gave everything for Real Madrid."

Pepe's final game for Real Madrid:

Scored during the Madrid derby at the Bernabéu. He broke two ribs.

Madridista. Warrior. Legend.

A red card enthusiast.

One of Pepe's most recognizable characteristics was his aggressive style of play.

If you backed his teams, you'd be really anxious at times. If you were on the opposing side, you hoped to see him sent off early.

Pepe's disciplinary record:

210 yellow cards 🟨

17 red cards 🟥

40 games missed through suspension ❌

The definition of defending with aggression 😅

He previously received a 10-game sentence for tackling Getafe player Javier Casquero in the box and then kicking him afterwards.

A leader in 2016.

After Cristiano Ronaldo was forced to leave the 2016 Euro final due to injury, another veteran had to step up.

If manager Fernando Santos had not relied on Pepe against France, the score may have been extremely different.

A UCL master.

With three Champions League championships to his record, the Portugal defender understood what was expected of him on Europe's biggest stage.

His skills vexed attackers all over the world, whether he played for Porto, Besiktas, or Real Madrid.

He is also the oldest outfield player in UCL history, having played and scored.

World Cup glory.

Centre-backs seldom score, let alone at the World Cup, but Pepe did so twice on the biggest platform.

He scored against Uruguay in the 2018 Round of 16, as well as Switzerland four years later.

These are two of his eight national-team goals.

As a result, he became the oldest player ever to score in a men's World Cup knockout phase match.

The Ronaldo friendship

We must remember the bromance that evolved between Pepe and Cristiano Ronaldo.

From their early days in Portugal to Real Madrid and then winning the country's first European Cup, it was a sight to behold.

Ronaldo was one of many players who left emotional remarks on Pepe's Instagram account following his retirement announcement.

🥹❤️ Cristano Ronaldo to Pepe: "There are not enough words to express how much you mean to me, friend."

"We won everything there was to win on the field, but the greatest achievement is the friendship & respect I have for you. You are unique, my brother. Thank you for so much."

The return to Porto.

Many players, including Pepe, want to end their careers at home. The Portugal international spent two stints at Porto, totaling 288 appearances, 17 goals, and 11 assists.

Until the end, he was truly himself.

Pepe's final match for the national team saw him become the oldest outfield player to ever play in a EUROs competition. What a way to finish your career!

What were your favorite Pepe moments? Please let us know in the comments below.

Pepe played his final match at the age of 41 years and 130 days...
Always a warrior 😤.

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