Portugal’s Pepe Makes History as the Oldest Player at Euro 2024

Portugal‘s veteran defender, Pepe, etched his name in European Championship history during his team’s recent victory, becoming the oldest player to compete at Euro 2024. Pepe, at 41 years and 113 days old, surpassed the previous record held by Hungary’s Gábor Király.

Pepe’s remarkable milestone comes as he played a crucial role in Portugal’s opening match, demonstrating his enduring skill and experience on the field. The Brazil-born player made his debut for Portugal back in 2007 under the guidance of Luiz Felipe Scolari, during his tenure as a Real Madrid player.

With an impressive international career spanning years, Pepe has amassed 138 appearances for Portugal, showcasing his defensive prowess and contributing eight goals to the national team. Noteworthy is his disciplinary record, having received 25 yellow cards and one red card throughout his career.

Pepe’s longevity and consistency have seen him participate in 20 matches across five European Championships, a record eclipsed only by his compatriot Cristiano Ronaldo. The 39-year-old Ronaldo, who debuted at Euro 2004, made history himself by setting a new record for the most appearances at European Championships.

In their Euro 2024 opener against Czech Republic, Pepe anchored Portugal’s defense alongside Diogo Dalot and Ruben Dias. The Czech side, led by captain Tomas Soucek and featuring Patrik Schick, faced a well-prepared Portuguese team spearheaded by the iconic Cristiano Ronaldo.