European Football Championship - Continue with 41? Pepe does not want to talk about retirement
Portugal's Defender Pepe seems to be considering a continuation of his international career at the age of 41. "This is not the right time to speak about a secure departure from the national team. I will have the opportunity to speak about it later," said the oldest player in EM history after Portugal's elimination from the European Championship against France in the quarterfinals with a 3:5 in the penalty shootout.
Portugal lost the EM final replay of 2016 with this score. Pepe shed tears on the field of Hamburg's Volksparkstadion afterwards. The defender, who has been without a club since July 1, was comforted by his friend and long-term teammate Cristiano Ronaldo. Pepe last played for FC Porto.
Portugal's superstar Ronaldo has not yet announced the end of his international career and has only stated that he will not be there for the next European Championship in 2028. Coach Roberto Martinez also kept quiet on the topic and did not want to interpret Pepe's tears as a sign of farewell: "He cried because it's hard to accept being eliminated with such a performance," said the Spanish coach of the Portuguese team. "We were brilliant. The players gave everything. We should be proud of them."
- Despite Ronaldo's hesitation to retire from international soccer and Pepe's emotional display, Portugal is looking forward to the 2028 European Football Championship without their veterans.
- In the future, Europe's soccer scene may miss the defensive prowess of Pepe, who has played a significant role in Portugal's successes, including the 2016 European Championship.
- The resignation of Pepe from the Portuguese national team has not been officially announced yet, but speculations are rife in soccer circles regarding his future plans after the quarterfinals loss against France during Hamburg's EM.
- Fans of European football and Portugal are eagerly waiting to know the next move of Pepe, who has showcased his abilities on notable foreign stages such as German clubs like Schalke and Hamburg.
- The upcoming season of European football may not see a reunion between Pepe and Ronaldo on the same team, as both players may be pursuing different paths after Portugal's disappointing performance in the quarterfinals against France.
- The 2022 World Cup could offer an opportunity for the younger generation of Portuguese soccer players to make their mark on the European and international stage, potentially filling the void left by veterans like Pepe and Ronaldo.
