Pepe to decide whether to retire after Euro 2024
Porto coach Vitor Bruno revealed that Pepe will make a decision about his career once the European Championship is over. The centre-back wants to know if his body can respond to him to complete another season at the elite level.
5 months ago
Veteran centre-back Pepe will "listen to his body" at Euro 2024 in Germany and then make a decision about his career, new Porto coach Vitor Bruno revealed on Friday.
Bruno said the defender is "a symbol of the club" but that his renewal is a complex issue: "It requires a certain ability to realise to what extent we should or should not act, without ever hurting or angering Pepe."
He added: "We have to realise what is the best way to act. We also have to talk to him and make the best decision." Pepe's contract with Porto expires in June and is one of the pending issues for new sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta.
Pepe represented the Portuguese side between 2004 and 2007 and returned in 2019. Despite his 41 years, the centre-back has been an undisputed starter at Porto and is currently with the Portugal national team preparing for what will be the fifth European Championship of his career.
Bruno said the defender is "a symbol of the club" but that his renewal is a complex issue: "It requires a certain ability to realise to what extent we should or should not act, without ever hurting or angering Pepe."
He added: "We have to realise what is the best way to act. We also have to talk to him and make the best decision." Pepe's contract with Porto expires in June and is one of the pending issues for new sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta.
Pepe represented the Portuguese side between 2004 and 2007 and returned in 2019. Despite his 41 years, the centre-back has been an undisputed starter at Porto and is currently with the Portugal national team preparing for what will be the fifth European Championship of his career.
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