Living Footbal Legend - Pepe

Pepe - Overview:

Full Name: Kepler Laveran de Lima Ferreira
Date of Birth: 26 February 1983
Nickname: Pepe
Birthplace: Maceió, Brazil
Position: Centre-back
Current Club: FC Porto (Primeira Liga)
Nationality: Portuguese (Opted to play for Portugal)


Career Highlights:

• Marítimo: Pepe began his professional career with Marítimo in Portugal.
• Porto: Achieved significant success with FC Porto, winning four Primeira Liga titles and three Taça de Portugal titles.
• Real Madrid: Played a crucial role in Real Madrid, featuring in 334 games and winning three La Liga titles, three UEFA Champions League titles, and two Copa del Rey titles.
• Beşiktaş: Played for Beşiktaş in the Turkish Süper Lig.

International Career:

• National Team: Portugal
• Debut: Pepe made his international debut for Portugal in 2007.
• Caps: Earned 134 caps for the Portugal national team.
• Tournaments: Played in four FIFA World Cups and four UEFA European Championships.
• Euro 2016: Played a pivotal role in Portugal's Euro 2016 victory, where they won the championship.
• Individual Recognition: Named the man of the match in the Euro 2016 final.

Playing Style:
Pepe is widely regarded as one of the best defenders of his generation, known for his tenacity, physical strength, and leadership on the field. His successful career has been marked by numerous domestic and international titles, making him a respected figure in football.

As of the latest available information, Pepe continues to contribute as a centre-back for FC Porto in the Primeira Liga.

Pepe - International Career Highlights;

• Naturalisation, Euro 2008, and 2010 World Cup:
  • Pepe became a Portuguese citizen in August 2007.
  • Made his debut for Portugal in a UEFA Euro 2008 qualifier against Poland in November 2007.
  • Scored a goal in Euro 2008 against Turkey.
  • Played in all matches of Euro 2008, with Portugal reaching the quarter-finals.
  • Featured in the 2010 FIFA World Cup, playing as a defensive midfielder during the qualifying campaign.

• Euro 2012 and 2014 World Cup:
  • Started in Euro 2012, scoring a goal against Denmark in the group stage.
  • Named UEFA Man of the Match during Euro 2012.
  • Played in the 2014 World Cup, receiving a red card in the opening match against Germany.

• Euro 2016 Champion and 2017 Confederations Cup:
  • Named Man of the Match in the Euro 2016 final, helping Portugal secure their first international title.
  • Scored an injury-time equalizer in the 2017 Confederations Cup third-place match against Mexico, leading Portugal to win the bronze medal.

• 2018 World Cup and Euro 2020:
  • Participated in the 2018 World Cup, where he faced criticism for a perceived dive against Spain.
  • Scored in Portugal's match against Uruguay in the last 16.
  • Earned his 100th cap in a friendly against Croatia in September 2018.
  • Competed in UEFA Euro 2020, becoming the oldest outfield player at 38 years old.

• 2022 World Cup:
  • Included in Portugal's squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
  • Scored Portugal's second goal in a 6–1 win against Switzerland, becoming the oldest player to score in the knockout stage and the second-oldest scorer in the tournament's history.

• Other Notable Achievements:
  • Sent off in a 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification match against the Republic of Ireland in November 2021.

Throughout his international career, Pepe has been a key figure for Portugal, contributing to major tournaments and earning accolades for his defensive prowess and leadership on the field.

References;

1. "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. "Pepe named as world's best defender of 2016". Goal.com. 10 November 2016.
4. "7 Best Centre-Backs of the Decade". HITC. 26 December 2019.
5. "Pepe: The Most Underrated Defender Of All Time?".
6. Lowe, Sid (7 June 2017). "Pepe leaves Real Madrid a touch bitter but with inner Hannibal Lecter tamed | Sid Lowe". The Guardian.
7. "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.
8. "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.
9. "Pepe já assinou contrato" [Pepe already signed a contract]. Record (in Portuguese). 13 May 2004. Retrieved 24 December 2020.
10. Madrid pick up Pepe from Porto; UEFA.com, 10 July 2007
11. Deportivo curse strikes again for Real; Soccerway, 15 March 2008
12. Balboa y Pepe se pelean durante el entrenamiento (Balboa and Pepe fight during training); Marca, 9 November 2007 (in Spanish)
13. 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)
14. Pepe receives 10-game ban; Sportsnet, 24 April 2009
15. Injury blow for Real Madrid defender Pepe; The Daily Telegraph, 13 December 2009
16. 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)
17. Pepe nearing Real Madrid exit; Soccer News, 2 October 2010
18. Madrid defender Pepe ruled out with calf injury; USA Today, 7 January 2011
19. Madrid hopeful over Pepe deal; ESPN Soccernet, 21 March 2011
20. Pepe signs 2015 Real Madrid contract extension; Goal.com, 21 March 2011

Pepe ● Craziest Moments ● Tackles, Fights, Fouls & Red Cards ● HD;

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