At 40, Former Real Madrid Defender Pepe Achieves Historic Status as Oldest Scorer in Champions League History

Former Real Madrid stalwart, Pepe, etched his name into the annals of football history by becoming the oldest goal-scorer in the illustrious UEFA Champions League during Porto's 2-0 victory over Antwerp, courtesy of his stoppage-time heroics.

At an impressive 40 years and 254 days, Pepe not only achieved the remarkable feat of being the first player aged over 40 to find the back of the net in this prestigious competition but also exhibited a remarkable display of longevity, with more than two decades separating his first professional goal, which he netted for Maritimo on November 9, 2002.

Pepe's invaluable goal secured a crucial win for Porto, maintaining their grip on the second spot in their Champions League group, with a three-point cushion over third-placed Shakhtar Donetsk, who secured a 1-0 victory over Barcelona.

On matchday three, Pepe further etched his name in the record books by becoming the oldest outfield player ever to grace the Champions League in a convincing 4-1 triumph, and now, his goal stands as a pivotal moment in their journey.

Pepe's journey in the beautiful game led him to Porto in May 2004, just prior to the club's historic conquest of a league title, domestic cup, and Champions League Treble under the guidance of Jose Mourinho, although he didn't feature in the European final against Monaco.

His storied career also featured notable stints with Real Madrid and Besiktas. During his tenure with Los Blancos, he celebrated three Champions League titles, three La Liga crowns, two Copa del Reys, two Supercopa victories, two FIFA Club World Cups, and a UEFA Super Cup.

Pepe's international contributions should not be understated, as he amassed a remarkable 134 caps for Portugal and played a pivotal role in their triumph at the 2016 European Championships, as well as the 2018/19 Nations League.

With a career spanning 714 appearances and an impressive haul of 28 trophies, Pepe's legacy is securely cemented, and he is universally recognized as one of the most dependable defenders to ever grace the game.