Cristiano Ronaldo has joined the wave of messages expressing affection and gratitude towards Pepe following the Portuguese defender's retirement announcement on Thursday at the age of 41.

"There are not enough words to express how much you mean to me, my friend," Ronaldo wrote.

"We won everything there was to win on the field, but the greatest achievement is the friendship and respect I have for you. You are one of a kind, my brother."

"Thank you for everything," Cristiano concluded his heartfelt message to Pepe on the day he retired after a long and successful football career.