Pepe, the former Real Madrid defender, etched his name in history by becoming the oldest scorer in the Champions League at the age of 40. He achieved this milestone with a dramatic stoppage-time goal against Antwerp, securing a 2-0 victory for Porto.
At 40 years and 254 days old, Pepe not only set the record as the first player above the age of 40 to find the net in the prestigious competition but also marked a remarkable journey that spanned over two decades since his first goal, which he scored for Maritimo on November 9, 2002.
His crucial goal sealed a vital win for Porto, keeping them in second place in their Champions League group and maintaining a three-point lead over third-placed Shakhtar Donetsk, who had previously defeated Barcelona 1-0. Pepe’s contributions have been pivotal to Porto’s progress, especially after he became the oldest outfield player to participate in the Champions League during a 4-1 victory on matchday three.
Pepe’s career has seen him don the jerseys of prestigious clubs like Porto, Real Madrid, and Besiktas. His time with Real Madrid was particularly illustrious, where he won an impressive array of honors, including three Champions League titles, three La Liga crowns, two Copa del Reys, two Supercopas, two FIFA Club World Cups, and a UEFA Super Cup.
On the international stage, Pepe made 134 appearances for Portugal and played a pivotal role in their triumph at the 2016 European Championships and the 2018/19 Nations League. With a career spanning 714 appearances and boasting an impressive collection of 28 trophies, Pepe is rightfully considered one of the most dependable and accomplished defenders in the world.
