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Pepe (footballer, born 1983)

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Pepe
Pepe with Portugal at the 2018 FIFA World Cup
Personal information
Full name Kepler Laverán de Lima Ferreira[1]
Date of birth (1983-02-26) 26 February 1983 (age 41)[1]
Place of birth Maceió, Brazil
Height 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)[2]
Position(s) Centre-back
Youth career
1995–2001 Corinthians Alagoano
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2001–2002 Marítimo B 14 (1)
2002–2004 Marítimo 63 (3)
2004–2007 Porto 64 (6)
2007–2017 Real Madrid 290 (13)
2017–2018 Beşiktaş 33 (5)
2019–2024 Porto 132 (7)
Total 535 (35)
International career
2007–2024 Portugal 141 (8)
Medal record
Men's football
Representing  Portugal
UEFA European Championship
Winner 2016 France
Bronze medal – third place 2012 Poland–Ukraine
UEFA Nations League
Winner 2019 Portugal
FIFA Confederations Cup
Third place 2017 Russia
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Kepler Laveran de Lima Ferreira ComM (born 26 February 1983), known as Pepe (Brazilian Portuguese: [ˈpɛpi], European Portuguese: [ˈpɛpɨ]), is a former professional footballer who played as a centre-back. He is widely regarded as one of the best centre-backs of all time.[3]

Born and raised in Brazil, Pepe moved to Portugal to sign with Marítimo, before moving to Porto in 2004. During his first Porto stint, he won two Primeira Liga titles, two Taças de Portugal and the Intercontinental Cup. Three years later, he moved to Real Madrid and went on to become a mainstay for the club, winning fifteen major honours, including three La Liga titles, two FIFA Club World Cup titles, two Copa del Rey titles and three UEFA Champions League titles, playing a crucial part in all three UEFA Champions League wins.[4] Out of contract, Pepe signed with Turkish club Beşiktaş in 2017, before returning to Porto in 2019. In his final stint with the Dragões, he won a further two league titles, four Taças de Portugal and a Taça da Liga.

Internationally, Pepe opted to play for Portugal, representing the nation at four FIFA World Cups and five UEFA European Championships. He won the UEFA Euro 2016 title in France, being named player of the match in the final, and was named to the UEFA Euro Team of the Tournament in 2008, 2012 and 2016. He also won the inaugural UEFA Nations League in 2019. Between his debut in 2007 and 2024, Pepe earned 141 caps.

Club career

[edit]

Marítimo

[edit]

Born in Maceió, Alagoas, Pepe was named Kepler Laveran by his father in honour to scientists Johannes Kepler and Charles Louis Alphonse Laveran.[5] He started playing football with local Corinthians Alagoano. At age 18, alongside teammate Ezequias, he moved to Portugal to sign with Marítimo in Madeira, spending the vast majority of his first season with the B-team.

After being promoted to the main squad for the 2002–03 season, under Ukrainian manager Anatoliy Byshovets, Pepe rarely missed a match, playing in several positions including defensive midfielder.[citation needed]

During the 2002–03 pre-season, Pepe was given permission to train with Sporting CP for two weeks, after which a deal could be negotiated for his transfer. However, neither club could agree on financial terms and the negotiations broke down, with the player returning[6] and going on to help Marítimo finish sixth in the following campaign and qualify to the UEFA Cup, having contributed with 1 goal in 30 matches.

Porto

[edit]
Pepe playing for Porto in 2006

In May 2004, shortly before the club sealed the league and UEFA Champions League, Pepe signed for Porto.[7]

In his first season, with Spanish coach Víctor Fernández at the helm, Pepe was mostly used as a backup player, playing under veterans Pedro Emanuel, Jorge Costa and utility defender Ricardo Costa. However, in the following year, under the guidance of Co Adriaanse, he had a breakthrough season, establishing himself as one of the best defenders in the domestic competition: the Dutchman often chose a 3–4–3 offensive system, with the player often pitched as the only natural stopper.[citation needed] Porto eventually won back-to-back leagues and the Taça de Portugal.

Real Madrid

[edit]

2007–11: Transfer and rise to prominence

[edit]

On 10 July 2007, Real Madrid signed Pepe to a five-year contract, paying Porto a €30 million transfer fee.[8] On 15 March 2008, Pepe scored the only (own) goal in a 0–1 away loss against Deportivo La Coruña.[9] Eight months later, he was involved in a fight during training with teammate Javier Balboa[10] – the defender was nonetheless called up for Real's next match, whereas the winger was not. As Los Blancos were eventually crowned champions of La Liga, he delivered a Man of the match performance in a 1–0 win at the Camp Nou against Barcelona.[11]

Pepe was constantly hampered by injuries throughout the 2008–09 campaign. On 21 April 2009, he was also involved in an incident with Getafe's Javier Casquero: with the score at 2–2 and only a few minutes to play, he brought down the midfielder in the penalty area, being subsequently sent off. He then kicked Casquero twice, once on his shin and once on his lower back. When being pulled away from Casquero, he also pushed his head into the turf and stamped on him several times. In the ensuing mêlée, he also struck another opposing player, Juan Ángel Albín, in the face and eventually received a ten-match ban, which effectively ended his season.[12]

Pepe chasing down Sergio Agüero of Atlético Madrid in 2010

In the 2009–10 season, Pepe returned to claim his place back in the starting line-ups. On 4 October 2009, he scored his first goal in the league, against Sevilla at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium, heading home from a Guti free-kick in a 1–2 loss. However, on 12 December, during a match at Mestalla against Valencia (3–2 win), he landed awkwardly following an aerial challenge and was stretchered off the pitch in the dying minutes of the first half. Scans later showed that he ruptured his right knee's anterior cruciate ligament.[13] He went on to miss the rest of the season, jeopardising his 2010 FIFA World Cup chances.

For 2010–11, Pepe was joined at Real Madrid by countrymen Ricardo Carvalho and manager José Mourinho, pairing up with Carvalho to form one of the most efficient defensive pairings in La Liga. On 2 October 2010, Diario AS published an article where the player was reportedly open to leave the club on a Bosman transfer.[14] According to the newspaper, "[W]hen he signed for Real Madrid in 2007, he sacrificed a part of his salary to pay for his huge transfer fee – this made him one of the lowest earners at the club, making €1.8 million a year."[15] Again, he missed several matches due to injury[16] and, after exhausting negotiations,[17] finally signed a new contract, renewing his link to the club until 2015.[18]

Pepe spent the final stretch of the season appearing as a defensive midfielder as Real Madrid faced Barcelona four times in less than one month. On 27 April 2011, in the UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg, he was sent off for a controversial challenge on Barcelona defender Dani Alves in an eventual 0–2 home loss.[19] However, Alves also came into strong criticism, with Real Madrid claiming the Brazilian fullback had exaggerated the incident. Additionally, sportspersons including Rio Ferdinand, Michael Owen and Rory McIlroy criticised Alves' actions.[20] The next day, UEFA opened disciplinary cases against both clubs for a number of incidents during the match.[21] The verdict was announced eight days later: the red card stood and Pepe therefore received a one-match ban from European competition, which he served by not playing in the 1–1 draw in the second leg at Camp Nou.[22]

2011–17: European and domestic success and departure

[edit]

On 12 July 2011, Pepe extended his contract with Real Madrid again, until the end of the 2015–16 season.[23] In a match against Osasuna on 6 November, he scored the team's second goal in an eventual 7–1 home routing.[24] In the first match of the Copa del Rey quarter-final against Barcelona on 18 January 2012, he stamped on the hand of Lionel Messi, who was on the ground after having been fouled.[25][26] The incident drew strong criticism from the Spanish media, who also noted his coming-together with Cesc Fàbregas earlier in the 1–2 home defeat,[27] but he insisted that the incident, which was not seen by the referee, was "unintentional".[28] On 23 January, the Royal Spanish Football Federation cleared him of any wrongdoing.[29][30]

Pepe warming up for Real Madrid in 2012

On 21 March 2012, Pepe was involved in another serious incident: after a 1–1 away draw against Villarreal in which he was booked and Real Madrid finished with nine players, he confronted referee José Luis Paradas Romero in the locker room area, saying, "What a ripoff motherfucker."[31] Two days later, he was suspended for two matches.[32]

In the 2011–12 season, Pepe formed a formidable centre back partnership with Sergio Ramos. That campaign, he went on to make 29 appearances in La Liga and 45 appearances in all competitions as Real Madrid claimed their 32nd league title.[33]

On 19 August 2012, in the league opener against Valencia, Pepe collided with Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas in the play that led to the visitors equalising the score 1–1 (the final result). He was subsequently taken to hospital for observation,[34] being released the following day.[35] Amid feuds with Mourinho, Pepe lost his starting place to Raphaël Varane throughout the season and would end up getting into a scuffle with Atlético Madrid manager Diego Simeone from the substitutes' bench in the 2013 Copa del Rey Final.[36][37]

Pepe warming up for Real Madrid in 2016

In the 2013–14 season, Pepe had a personal career high number of goals scored and appearances made for Real Madrid, making 11 appearances in their La Decima winning campaign in the 2013-14 UEFA Champions League. Carlo Ancelotti, the Real Madrid manager at the time, spoke of his importance saying, "We're more assured with him. He gives us confidence, personality and he helps the other players; he is very important for them."[38] In the 2015–16 season, Pepe made nine appearances in the UEFA Champions League and 31 appearances in all competitions. He started the match when the team won the Champions League final against Atlético Madrid in a penalty shoot-out at San Siro, Milan.[39]

In his last year playing for Real Madrid, Pepe had an injury-riddled season, in which he made 13 appearances, when Madrid won their 33rd La Liga[40][41] and their twelfth UEFA Champions League title, defeating Juventus in the final at Principality Stadium, Cardiff.[42]

Beşiktaş

[edit]

Turkish Süper Lig side Beşiktaş announced the signing of Pepe on a free transfer from Real Madrid, on 4 July 2017.[43] His contract was worth €9.5 million in total over the two-years, plus a €4,000 bonus for each match played.[44] On 13 August, he scored his first goal in a 2–0 home win against Antalyaspor.[45]

On 19 April 2018, in the second leg of the Turkish Cup against Fenerbahçe, he received his first red card for Beşiktaş after a tackle on Souza. The match was later abandoned after the Beşiktaş coach was struck by an object thrown from the stands.[46]

Pepe revoked his contract with Beşiktaş in a mutual agreement on 17 December 2018.[47]

Return to Porto

[edit]
Pepe playing for Porto in 2019

On 8 January 2019, Pepe returned to Porto after over a decade, on a 212-year contract.[48] A week later, he played his first game for Porto since 2007 in the 2018–19 Taça de Portugal quarter-finals, winning 2–1 away to Leixões.[49] While his side ended the 2018–19 season as league runners-up on the final day and lost the cup final on penalties to Sporting, they won both tournaments in 2019–20.[50]

Following Danilo Pereira's exit to Paris Saint-Germain, Pepe was appointed as club captain on 12 October 2020.[51] The following month, he extended his contract to 2023.[52]

On 25 October 2023, at 40 years and 241 days, Pepe became the oldest outfield player to play in the UEFA Champions League, in a 4–1 group stage victory away at Royal Antwerp, breaking the record previously held by Alessandro Costacurta for 17 years.[53] On 7 November, in the return fixture, Pepe headed in Porto's second goal in a 2–0 victory over Royal Antwerp, becoming, at 40 years and 254 days old, the oldest ever goalscorer in the UEFA Champions League history, breaking the record previously held by Manfred Burgsmüller in 1988.[54] On 13 December, Pepe started and scored in a 5–3 Champions League victory over Shakhtar Donetsk, setting both his records to 40 years and 289 days.[55]

On 12 March 2024, at 41 years old, in a match against Arsenal, Pepe became the first outfield player over the age of 40 to play in the Champions League knock-out stage.[56]

International career

[edit]

2008–2014: Naturalisation and early international career

[edit]
Pepe (number 3) with Portugal during a 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Denmark in 2008

Pepe never represented his native Brazil in any youth category. However, according to the player's father, in 2006, he was contacted by head coach Dunga about a possible call-up, which he declined, stating that once he obtained Portuguese citizenship, he would join its national team.[57] He became naturalised in August 2007 and, on 30 August, was named in the Portugal squad for the first time in view of a UEFA Euro 2008 qualifier against Poland.[58] An injury while training for his club prevented the debut for his adopted country, which would materialise almost four months later, in Portugal's last match in the tournament against Finland on 21 November, a 0–0 home draw.

In the tournament's final stages, Pepe played in all of the national side's matches, scoring once in a 2–0 win against Turkey on 7 June 2008.[59] Portugal was eliminated in the quarter-finals by Germany.

During the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, Pepe was often used as a defensive midfielder by national coach Carlos Queiroz. After his serious knee injury while playing for Real Madrid, he was eventually selected for the national squad that participated in the finals in South Africa, appearing against Brazil in the group stage (0–0) and eventual champions Spain in the round of 16 (0–1 loss).

Pepe training with Portugal at Euro 2012

Again a starter in Euro 2012 under manager Paulo Bento, Pepe opened the score in the second group game against Denmark, heading home after a João Moutinho corner kick in an eventual 3–2 win.[60] He was later chosen by UEFA as man of the match[61] and, in the semi-final, he was one of two Portugal players to score in a 2–4 penalty shootout defeat to eventual winners Spain.[62]

In the 2014 World Cup, Pepe received a red card in the first half of Portugal's opening match against eventual champions Germany, for headbutting Thomas Müller late into the first half of an eventual 0–4 loss. At the time, Müller was sitting on the ground and Pepe walked back to Müller to headbutt him.[63][64] He was suspended for the following match, which Portugal drew 2–2 with the United States, before returning to the team for the final Group G fixture against Ghana.[65]

2016–2019: European champion, Nations League title and 100 caps

[edit]

Pepe started in central defence in six of Portugal's seven matches at UEFA Euro 2016. After missing the semi-final against Wales with a thigh injury,[66] he returned to the team for the final, where he was named man of the match, helping his team to keep a clean-sheet in a 1–0 extra-time victory over hosts France and win Portugal's first ever international title.[67] His performance in the final was particularly noted by Sky Sports and Football Paradise's Juuso Kilpeläinen for being firm and disciplined.[68][69]

photograph of a man sucking his thumbs
Pepe celebrates after scoring a late equaliser against Mexico at the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup in Moscow

On 2 July 2017, in the third-place match against Mexico at the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup, Pepe scored an injury time equaliser to send the match into extra-time. Portugal eventually won the match 2–1 to capture the bronze medal.[70]

In Portugal's opening match against Spain during the 2018 World Cup, Pepe went down after a collision with Spain forward Diego Costa, who then took the ball into the penalty area before scoring. The goal was checked by the video assistant referee (VAR), who allowed the goal to stand. In Portugal's second match, Pepe went down after he was tapped on the back by Morocco's Medhi Benatia. In the BBC studio, former footballer Rio Ferdinand called Pepe's dive "embarrassing".[71] Former striker Didier Drogba also expressed derision for Pepe, stating "he's been doing this quite a few times".[71] Pepe scored in Portugal's 2–1 defeat against Uruguay in the last 16.[72]

On 6 September 2018 in a friendly match against Croatia at the Estádio do Algarve, Pepe earned his 100th cap. He captained the side and headed an equaliser from Pizzi's cross to secure a 1–1 draw.[73]

Pepe was part of Portugal's squad for their UEFA Nations League win in 2019. He captained the team in three of the four Group 3 matches, before starting in central defence in the semi-final against Switzerland. During the match, he fractured his right shoulder which led to his missing the 2019 UEFA Nations League Final[74] which Portugal won 1–0 against the Netherlands.[75]

2020–2024: Final international tournaments and retirement

[edit]

Due to Zlatan Ibrahimović's injury, 38-year-old Pepe was the oldest outfield player at the delayed UEFA Euro 2020 finals in June 2021.[76] On 11 November that year, he was sent off in a goalless draw away to the Republic of Ireland in 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification.[77]

In October 2022, he was named in Portugal's preliminary 55-man squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar,[78] being included in the final 26-man squad for the tournament.[79] He scored Portugal's second goal in a thrashing 6–1 win in the round of 16 match against Switzerland; by doing so, at 39 years and 283 days old, he became the oldest player to score at the knock-out stage and second-oldest player to ever score in the tournament, behind Cameroonian striker Roger Milla, who was 42 years and 39 days old when he scored against Russia in the 1994 FIFA World Cup.[80]

In May 2024, Pepe was selected in the 26-man squad for the UEFA Euro 2024.[81] In the opening match against the Czech Republic, on 18 June, he became the oldest player to feature in the European Championship, aged 41 years and 113 days.[82] He also became one of only three players to feature in five European Championships.[83] Portugal were eliminated in the quarter-finals to France after losing 5–3 on penalties; followed by Pepe's final game in professional football.[84]

Style of play

[edit]

Considered to be one of the best defenders of his generation,[85] in his prime Pepe was a quick, aggressive, physically strong, and tenacious defender, who was known for his work-rate, energy, and hard-tackling style of play. Due to his height, he was also an aerial threat on set-pieces. While he usually played as a centre-back, he was also used as a defensive midfielder on occasion at international level. However, despite his defensive abilities, he also drew criticism in the media due to his tendency to pick up cards, as he often showed violent or unsportsmanlike behaviour on the pitch, in particular during his time at Real Madrid, which included diving,[71] and violent challenges on the pitch.[86][87][88][89][90][91][92][93] However, despite his reputation, he has also been recognised by pundits, players, and managers for his leadership,[94][95] tactical intelligence,[96] longevity,[97][98] and consistency.[98][99] Jermaine Jenas also praised Pepe for his athleticism and ability on the ball in 2016.[100]

Personal life

[edit]

Pepe is married to Ana Sofia Moreira, whom he met in Porto in 2007. Together, they have two daughters.[101]

Career statistics

[edit]

Club

[edit]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition[102][103]
Club Season League National cup[a] League cup[b] Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Marítimo 2001–02 Primeira Liga 4 0 0 0 4 0
2002–03 29 2 0 0 29 2
2003–04 30 1 1 0 31 1
Total 63 3 1 0 64 3
Porto 2004–05 Primeira Liga 15 1 1 0 5[c] 0 1[d] 0 22 1
2005–06 24 1 4 0 5[c] 2 33 3
2006–07 25 4 0 0 8[c] 0 1[e] 0 34 4
Total 64 6 5 0 18 2 2 0 89 8
Real Madrid 2007–08 La Liga 19 0 1 0 3[c] 0 2[f] 0 25 0
2008–09 26 0 0 0 5[c] 0 1[f] 0 32 0
2009–10 10 1 1 0 6[c] 0 17 1
2010–11 26 1 4 0 8[c] 0 38 1
2011–12 29 1 5 0 9[c] 0 2[f] 0 45 1
2012–13 28 1 2 0 11[c] 1 1[f] 0 42 2
2013–14 30 4 7 1 11[c] 0 48 5
2014–15 27 2 1 0 6[c] 0 4[g] 0 38 2
2015–16 21 1 1 0 9[c] 0 31 1
2016–17 13 2 2 0 3[c] 0 0 0 18 2
Total 229 13 24 1 71 1 10 0 334 15
Beşiktaş 2017–18 Süper Lig 23 2 5 0 6[c] 0 1[h] 0 35 2
2018–19 10 3 0 0 7[i] 2 17 5
Total 33 5 5 0 13 2 1 0 52 7
Porto 2018–19 Primeira Liga 13 2 3 0 2 0 3[c] 0 21 2
2019–20 25 1 2 0 1 0 9[j] 0 37 1
2020–21 27 2 4 0 2 0 6[c] 0 1[e] 0 40 2
2021–22 21 1 3 0 0 0 9[k] 0 33 1
2022–23 24 0 5 0 2 0 4[c] 0 1[e] 0 36 0
2023–24 22 1 4 0 0 0 7[c] 2 1[e] 0 34 3
Total 132 7 21 0 7 0 38 2 3 0 201 9
Career total 521 34 56 1 7 0 140 7 16 0 742 42
  1. ^ Includes Taça de Portugal, Copa del Rey, Turkish Cup
  2. ^ Includes Taça da Liga
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r Appearances in UEFA Champions League
  4. ^ Appearance in UEFA Super Cup
  5. ^ a b c d Appearance in Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira
  6. ^ a b c d Appearance(s) in Supercopa de España
  7. ^ One appearance in UEFA Super Cup, one appearance in Supercopa de España, two appearances in FIFA Club World Cup
  8. ^ Appearance in Turkish Super Cup
  9. ^ Appearances in UEFA Europa League
  10. ^ Two appearances in UEFA Champions League, seven appearances in UEFA Europa League
  11. ^ Five appearances in UEFA Champions League, four appearances in UEFA Europa League

International

[edit]
Appearances and goals by national team and year[104]
National team Year Apps Goals
Portugal 2007 1 0
2008 12 1
2009 11 1
2010 6 0
2011 7 0
2012 12 1
2013 8 0
2014 8 0
2015 3 0
2016 13 1
2017 11 1
2018 11 2
2019 5 0
2020 5 0
2021 10 0
2022 10 1
2023 1 0
2024 7 0
Total 141 8

Scores and results list Portugal's goal tally first.

List of international goals scored by Pepe
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 7 June 2008 Stade de Genève, Geneve, Switzerland  Turkey 1–0 2–0 UEFA Euro 2008
2 9 September 2009 Stadium Puskás Ferenc, Budapest, Hungary  Hungary 1–0 1–0 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
3 13 June 2012 Arena Lviv, Lviv, Ukraine  Denmark 1–0 3–2 UEFA Euro 2012
4 1 September 2016 Estádio do Bessa, Porto, Portugal  Gibraltar 5–0 5–0 Friendly
5 2 July 2017 Otkrytiye Arena, Moscow, Russia  Mexico 1–1 2–1 (a.e.t.) 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup
6 30 June 2018 Fisht Olympic Stadium, Sochi, Russia  Uruguay 1–1 1–2 2018 FIFA World Cup
7 6 September 2018 Estádio Algarve, Faro/Loulé, Portugal  Croatia 1–1 1–1 Friendly
8 6 December 2022 Lusail Iconic Stadium, Lusail, Qatar   Switzerland 2–0 6–1 2022 FIFA World Cup

Honours

[edit]

Porto[105]

Real Madrid[105]

Portugal[105]

Individual

Orders

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "FIFA Confederations Cup Russia 2017: List of players: Portugal" (PDF). FIFA. 20 March 2018. p. 7. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 January 2019. Retrieved 28 March 2018.
  2. ^ "FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™: List of Players: Portugal" (PDF). FIFA. 15 November 2022. p. 22. Archived (PDF) from the original on 18 December 2022. Retrieved 22 November 2022.
  3. ^
  4. ^ Lowe, Sid (7 June 2017). "Pepe leaves Real Madrid a touch bitter but with inner Hannibal Lecter tamed". The Guardian.
  5. ^ "Conheça histórias do zagueiro Pepe, contadas por seu pai" [Get to know stories of the defender Pepe, told by his father] (in Portuguese). UOL. Archived from the original on 31 July 2017. Retrieved 18 June 2017.
  6. ^ "Pepe regressa ao Marítimo" [Pepe returns to Marítimo] (in Portuguese). TSF. 23 July 2002. Archived from the original on 29 May 2014. Retrieved 15 May 2014.
  7. ^ "Pepe já assinou contrato" [Pepe already signed a contract]. Record (in Portuguese). 13 May 2004. Retrieved 24 December 2020.
  8. ^ Madrid pick up Pepe from Porto; UEFA.com, 10 July 2007
  9. ^ Deportivo curse strikes again for Real; Soccerway, 15 March 2008
  10. ^ Balboa y Pepe se pelean durante el entrenamiento (Balboa and Pepe fight during training); Marca, 9 November 2007 (in Spanish)
  11. ^ Navidades blancas: el Real Madrid apuntilla al Barça (0–1) (White Christmas: Real Madrid kills Barça (0–1)); Diario Crítico, 23 December 2007 (in Spanish)
  12. ^ Pepe receives 10-game ban; Sportsnet, 24 April 2009
  13. ^ Injury blow for Real Madrid defender Pepe; The Daily Telegraph, 13 December 2009
  14. ^ Pepe está dispuesto a irse libre en 2012 Pepe está dispuesto a irse libre en 2012 (Pepe willing to leave for free in 2012); Diario AS, 2 October 2010 (in Spanish)
  15. ^ Pepe nearing Real Madrid exit; Soccer News, 2 October 2010
  16. ^ Madrid defender Pepe ruled out with calf injury; USA Today, 7 January 2011
  17. ^ Madrid hopeful over Pepe deal; ESPN Soccernet, 21 March 2011
  18. ^ Pepe signs 2015 Real Madrid contract extension; Goal.com, 21 March 2011
  19. ^ Ten-man Madrid undone by Messi magic; UEFA.com, 27 April 2011
  20. ^ Real release "proof" of Alves dive; ESPN Soccernet, 28 April 2011
  21. ^ "Disciplinary cases opened against Real Madrid and Barcelona". UEFA.com. 28 April 2011. Retrieved 24 January 2012.
  22. ^ "Sanctions for Madrid and Barcelona". UEFA.com. 6 May 2011. Archived from the original on 22 July 2011. Retrieved 24 January 2012.
  23. ^ "Pepe, Ramos extend Real contracts". ESPNFC.com. 12 July 2011. Retrieved 27 July 2011.
  24. ^ "Ronaldo hits hat-trick". Soccernet. ESPN. 6 November 2011. Archived from the original on 9 November 2011. Retrieved 10 November 2011.
  25. ^ Lowe, Sid (19 January 2012). "Real Madrid's Pepe sparks controversy for stamp against Barcelona". The Guardian. Guardian News and Media. Retrieved 21 January 2012.
  26. ^ Hayward, Paul (19 January 2012). "Barcelona magician Lionel Messi has a rare talent that deserves protection after Real Madrid rough-housing". The Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022. Retrieved 23 January 2012.
  27. ^ "Spanish papers brand Pepe 'shameful' for stamping on Lionel Messi". The Guardian. Guardian News and Media. 19 January 2012. Retrieved 23 January 2012.
  28. ^ "Pepe apologises for 'unintentional' stamp on Lionel Messi's hand". The Guardian. Guardian News and Media. 20 January 2012. Retrieved 23 January 2012.
  29. ^ Edwards, Luke (23 January 2012). "Jose Mourinho to quit as Real Madrid manager in June". The Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022. Retrieved 24 January 2012.
  30. ^ "Pepe cleared over stamp claims". Sky Sports. 24 January 2012. Retrieved 24 January 2012.
  31. ^ "Vaya atraco, hijo de puta" [What a ripoff motherfucker]. Marca. 22 March 2012. Retrieved 23 March 2012.
  32. ^ "Pepe handed two-match ban". ESPN Soccernet. 23 March 2012. Archived from the original on 14 July 2012. Retrieved 23 March 2012.
  33. ^ "Real Madrid clinch 32nd La Liga title as Cristiano Ronaldo rounds off 3–0 win against Athletic Bilbao". The Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group. 3 May 2012. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022.
  34. ^ "Real Madrid's Pepe in hospital following Casillas collision". Goal.com. 19 August 2012. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
  35. ^ "Real Madrid's Pepe home from hospital". Soccernet. ESPN. 20 August 2012. Archived from the original on 3 January 2013. Retrieved 22 August 2012.
  36. ^ "Mourinho: "Pepe's problem is Varane"". Marca.com. 7 May 2013.
  37. ^ "La final acabó en bronca Pepe-Simeone y mecherazo a Courtois". Marca.com. 18 May 2013.
  38. ^ Lowe, Sid (7 June 2017). "Pepe leaves Real Madrid a touch bitter but with inner Hannibal Lecter tamed". The Guardian.
  39. ^ "Spot-on Real Madrid defeat Atlético in final again". UEFA.com. 28 May 2016.
  40. ^ "El Real Madrid, campeón de LaLiga Santander 2016/17". LaLiga.es. 21 May 2017.
  41. ^ "Real Madrid win La Liga title with victory at Malaga". BBC Sport. 21 May 2017.
  42. ^ "Majestic Real Madrid win Champions League in Cardiff". UEFA.com. 3 June 2017.
  43. ^ "Kepler Laveran Lima Ferreira'nın (Pepe) Transferi İçin Görüşmelere Başlandı". Beşiktaş JK. 4 July 2017. Retrieved 4 July 2017.
  44. ^ Beşiktaş (5 July 2017). "Results or Ending of Transfer Meetings" (Press release) (in Turkish). Turkish Public Disclosure Platform (KAP). Retrieved 6 July 2017.
  45. ^ "Beşiktaş vs. Antalyaspor". Soccerway. Perform Group. 13 August 2017. Retrieved 13 August 2017.
  46. ^ "Besiktas coach injured in abandoned Istanbul derby". Sky Sports. 20 August 2018.
  47. ^ "Thank you for your services Pepe!". Beşiktaş JK. 17 December 2018.
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[edit]
  • Profile at the FC Porto website
  • Pepe at ForaDeJogo (archived) Edit this at Wikidata
  • Pepe at BDFutbol Edit this at Wikidata
  • PepeFIFA competition record (archived) Edit this at Wikidata
  • Pepe at Goal.com
  • Pepe launches his own Solana meme coin.