Pepe calls it a day: the end of a terrific career

The reasons behind Pepe's decision to end his career are probably personal since everyone who had seen at least one of his matches at the EURO could have concluded that the Portuguese's physical state and performances were almost impeccable. Even at the age of 41, Pepe was one of the best defenders at the tournament, coping easily with much younger forwards. However, he knew this decision had to be made one day. And that day has come.

At first, Pepe just said goodbye to the national team after the elimination against France in the quarter-final, but today, he decided to call it a day and finish his career altogether. He spent the last five seasons at Porto, always playing at the maximum level. That's exactly how he'll be remembered.

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Wherever he played, he was a leader - at Maritimo at the beginning of his career, at Jose Mourinho's Porto, where he won his first Champions League, and, of course, at Real Madrid, where he was an irreplaceable part of the club's most successful generation, winning three La Liga trophies and three Champions Leagues in the ten years he spent in Madrid. Before returning to Estadio do Dragao, he wore Besiktas' jersey in Turkish Super Lig for two seasons.

In the end, one thing's sure: Pepe will be missed. Not only in club football in general but especially in his national team. Portugal don't have a player of that class. Man City's Ruben Dias is an outstanding player, but his leadership abilities are questionable. Subsequently, he is now without a partner in the defensive line, and Portugal will have to find him one. However, there is no way he'd be unique like Pepe. No player ever will.