After more than 20 years of play, former Real Madrid defender Pepe has declared his retirement from sport. In what would be his last tournament as a player, the 41-year-old made history at a European Championship by becoming the oldest player ever to represent his club and nation.

The decision was made public by the central defender via a social media video, and the news has shocked the entire football community. Numerous individuals have already responded to Pepe’s decision, among them being Cristiano Ronaldo, the best football player in Portugal history, who partnered with him on 348 occasions.

Cristiano Ronaldo Pays Tribute to Pepe

The pair were seen embracing after Pepe’s final game

In a social media post following the news of his former teammate’s announcement, the Al-Nassr superstar penned an emotional reaction, stating:

“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 and respect I have for you.

“You are unique, my brother. Thank you for so much.”

Although Pepe and Ronaldo had a strong relationship throughout their careers, Pepe is still deeply affected by their embrace following France’s penalty-filled victory against them in the most recent Euros quarterfinal. The infamous hardman was spotted sobbing as he relived his most heartbreaking experiences as a football player during his announcement video.

Pepe finished his career with 33 major honours, his three Champions League wins while he was at Santiago Bernabeu and the surprising win at the 2016 European Championship being the high point of his career. During his two distinct periods with Porto, the defender also won three Spanish titles and four Portuguese titles.