Kepler Laveran Lima Ferreira, known as Pepe, surprised football fans by revealing his retirement plans in Portugal.
“I will retire when Cristiano [Ronaldo] does, but as long as he’s here, I’ll be here to help him,” he said.
Many spectators were taken aback by Pepe’s performance during the Portugal vs Turkey match in the Euro 2024 group stages.
The match ended in a decisive 3-0 victory for Portugal over Turkey. With this win, Portugal leads Group F with 6 points and qualifies for the tournament’s knockout stages.
The 41-year-old defender dazzled with precise tackles and exceptional clearances. The former Real Madrid player, known for his aggression, completed 97% of his passes, made 7 clearances, 4 headed clearances, 4 recoveries, won 4 out of 7 ground duels, and made 2 passes into the final third. He was substituted amidst applause from Portuguese supporters, replaced by Antonio Silva.
Linking his retirement to Cristiano Ronaldo’s remains a challenge for Pepe, as the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, at 39, continues to perform at his best.
So far, Cristiano Ronaldo has not given a definitive answer regarding his retirement. Recently, he posted a photo on Instagram with the caption “I can’t stop,” clearly indicating he’s not ready to retire yet.
In contrast, his wife Georgina seems to have a different opinion. In a video posted on X on Saturday, February 2, 2024, she said, “Cristiano, one year, then it’s over. Maybe two, I don’t know.”
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