Pepe has announced his retirement from football at the age of 41 as the Portuguese star brings the curtain down on a glittering career.
The defender most recently represented Portugal in Euro 2024, missing only one group match during the tournament and playing the whole 120 minutes alongside Cristiano Ronaldo in their quarter-final defeat by France.
Pepe is widely regarded as one of the best defenders of the 21st century after winning 34 trophies and playing a total 878 games, with his combative and at times ill-disciplined defending proving a nightmare for opposition attackers to deal with.
His partnership alongside Sergio Ramos across a decade saw him win every available club honour in Spain, most notably three Champions League titles and a plethora of individual accolades.
Pepe decided to announce his retirement following a sensational 23-year playing career in Spain on Thursday where he revealed his decision in a glamorous video that matched the titles he has won throughout the years.
Legendary defender, Pepe, has announced his retirement from football at the age of 41
Pepe won an incredible 34 trophies during his glittering career with both club and country
Pepe (holding trophy) was influential in ending Portugal's wait for a first major trophy in 2016
At Real Madrid, Pepe (left) formed a close relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo as they became friends
Rising through the youth ranks at various Portuguese sides following a move from his native Brazil at the age 17, Pepe was eventually given a chance in senior football when Porto signed him in 2004.
His efforts at the top Portuguese side eventually caught the attention of Real Madrid, who forked out £20m for his services and the rest as they say is history, with Pepe finding his footballing home in Spain's capital.
The legendary defender made 334 appearances across all competitions for Madrid, scoring 15 goals, registering 20 assists, and being shown 79 yellow cards along with three sending offs.
His time at Madrid culminated in Pepe winning the Club World Cup twice, UEFA Super Cup on two occasions, two Spanish Cups, three LaLiga titles and three Spanish Super Cups alongside his Champions League honours.
It was at the Santiago Bernabeu where he also formed a close relationship with Portuguese team-mate Ronaldo, with the pair playing through the best years of their career together for both club and country.
Whenever there was a success to celebrate the duo would be inseparable, while with the national team they often consoled each other as was most recently the case at Euro 2024.
During two spells at Porto, he won four Portuguese top-flight titles, five Portuguese Cups, five Super Cups and an intercontinental trophy as well.
Porto were the final club of Pepe's career as he returned to the boyhood team in 2019 as he continued to stun European football with his longevity and only just last season starring against Arsenal in the Champions League knockout stages.
Pepe is widely-regarded as one of football's most combative defenders and was sent off six times at Real Madrid
Pepe most recently played a vital role in Portugal's run to the quarter-finals at Euro 2016
Pep and Ronaldo celebrate winning the Super Cup after beating Barcelona in 2012
Pepe (left) won three LaLiga titles during a career spanning a decade at Real Madrid
Meanwhile his international achievements are equally iconic with Pepe helping end Portugal's wait for a first major honour when they won Euro 2016 by beating France in the final and later becoming UEFA Nations League winners.
Making the shock retirement announcement, Pepe published a feature video titled Obrigado meaning thank you in English, and began with a dramatic strobe lighting montage with all the trophies won throughout his career in one room.
He then watched through various highlights of his career and shared his emotions at leaving the game for good and thanking those who have helped him along the road to success.
Pepe stated: 'I want to thank God for giving me the wisdom to be able to continue my journey. I can't help but thank all the presidents who bet on me and believed in me.
The veteran defender impressed in the Champions League with Porto last season where he was a thorn against Arsenal's attackers
Pepe and Ronaldo were emotional as they consoled each other after Portugal's Euro 2024 exit
Porto were the final club of Pepe's career as he returned to the team in 2019 and continued to stun European football with his longevity
'All the employees of all the clubs I've been to, they are the soul and essence. And of the national team. All my teammates and coaches, who helped me grow and compete every day. All the fans, who are the soul of football.
'To Jorge Mendes, to Gestifute, to my mother, who was essential in my journey by letting me fly towards my dream, which was to be a professional footballer. To all my friends and family, especially my wife, who was my home in my absence.
'My children for believing in me, for being a fundamental support in my life, for supporting me when I left home to play. They were the support I needed to be able to go with a clear conscience.
' I would like to thank everyone, give them a big thank you and a big hug of gratitude. Thank you all very much.'