Who Pepe played alongside the most during 878 game career

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Announced retirement 

One of the most legendary defenders across the last two decades has announced his retirement from football after 878 games. In an emotional video, Pepe confirmed that he’s hanging up his boots aged 41 after an incredible trophy-laden career with his final game Portugal’s defeat to France at Euro 2024 – where Pepe became the oldest ever player in the competition.

The centre-back was renowned for his no–nonsense defending and he was masterful at the darker arts of the game – picking up 185 bookings across his career. Pepe lifted the Champions League trophy three times, picked up seven league titles and famously won Euro 2016 with Portugal. The 41-year-old played with an abundance of world-class players across his remarkable career but which teammates did he play with the most? Let’s find out as we’ve compiled an XI of those players.

Unsurprisingly, Pepe played alongside Cristiano Ronaldo more than anyone else with the iconic Portuguese duo turning out 348 times together for club and country. Pepe played 737 club games across his career – as shown in the graphic – and he also represented Portugal 141 times. In the 4-3-3 formation, Ronaldo would form the front three alongside Karim Benzema and Ricardo Quaresma. Like Quaresma, Pepe played alongside Otavio for Portugal and Porto while Luka Modric and Xabi Alonso represented two world-class midfielders. Marcelo and Alvaro Arbeloa feature at wing-back while Pepe’s old partner in crime Sergio Ramos lines up at centre-back with Iker Casillas in goal.