Former Real Madrid and Porto defender, Kepler Laveran de Lima Ferreira aka Pepe is retiring from professional football.
Gatekeepers News reports that the forty-one (41) year-old footballer revealed this on Thursday, in an emotional 33-minute video posted on YouTube.
Pepe said, “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.”
“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.”
In his active years, Pepe won three LaLiga titles, three Champions League trophies with Real Madrid, and four Primeira Liga titles with Porto.
