Cristiano Ronaldo leads tributes to 'brother' Pepe following retirement

Cristiano Ronaldo hailed Pepe as a "friend" and a "brother" following his retirement from professional football.

Pepe confirmed in a lengthy YouTube video on Thursday he was hanging up his boots, bringing down the curtain on a magnificent playing career, spanning over two decades.

Taking to social media, Ronaldo - a teammate of Pepe's at Real Madrid and with the Portugal national team - paid tribute to the former centre-back.

"There are not enough words to express how much you mean to me, friend," Ronaldo said.

"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."

Ronaldo and Pepe won several honours together, including three UEFA Champions Leagues and Portugal's first-ever European Championship in 2016.

Pepe was also honoured by FC Porto, where he played 290 games across two spells as a player, including the final six years of his career.

New Porto president, former Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur manager Andre Villas-Boas, said: "Kepler Laveran de Lima Ferreira, Pepe. Our Pepe. The Pepe of FC Porto.

"He arrived at the Club in 2004. Even back then, he was as shrewd as few others and had the humility and ambition needed to succeed. He was dedicated like the most loyal, fast, tough and lethal like the predestined, Pepe soon realised that he felt good here, that this was his home. And we soon realised that we wanted him in our home. He soon won the hearts of FC Porto members and supporters.

"We all saw and appreciated his art of going into battle, winning the move and then raising his head and leaving with the ball under control. Just like he did in that imperial performance against Juventus in 2021, when he stole 18 balls from the Italian forwards. We all saw how he went forward and put his head where others wouldn't. That's how he became the oldest player to score in the Champions League, when he made it 4-1 against Shakhtar. We all saw how he defended his territory, because our area and our goal were pieces of land that he defended like sacred places.

"Against our rivals, he was an unshakable pillar, pushing the team to memorable victories, such as the 5-0 victory last March. We all saw how he respected the dressing room and taught others to feel the weight of the blue and white jersey. The intensity with which he spoke to the group, in the circle after the games, made us feel his magnetism.

"When we sometimes gave in to tiredness or had moments of discouragement and doubted our strength, we saw Pepe come back and pull us forward, just as he did with his teammates on the field. He didn't let us get discouraged and he instilled in us the certainty that we could still give more. Because for Porto, everything! And we all saw how he smiled when we won any game, no matter who it was against.

"For all this, he deserves our recognition and affection. What makes Pepe truly special is that he has given back in double measure everything we have given him and we are certain that he will continue to do so. He is like that: a true Porto fan, a champion in everything.

"In two different phases, he has taken to the field 290 times wearing the Dragon on his chest. Always with the same gallantry and pride. And he has lifted 15 trophies: an Intercontinental Cup, four championships, five Portuguese Cups, four Super Cups and a League Cup. Always with that smile.

"Today he has decided to hang up his boots, but he will never take off the FC Porto armband. Captain forever!

"On behalf of all Porto fans, thank you very much."

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