Former Real Madrid and Portugal defender, Pepe, has confirmed his retirement.

Pepe leaves the sport at the age of 41.

The centre-back, who also played for Porto and Besiktas, made almost 900 appearances for club and country.

Pepe won three Champions League titles at Real Madrid, while he lifted the Euros in 2016 with Portugal.

Pepe moved to Portugal at 18 to join Maritimo. Promoted to the first team in his second season, Pepe would spent three years at the club in the top flight before a transfer to Porto in 2004 where he would first make his name.

After three seasons and two Primeira Liga titles at Porto, Pepe headed to the Bernabeu in 2007. He would go on to appear in 229 La Liga contests for Los Blancos over a decade, winning three league titles, two Copas del Rey and three Champions League crowns.