Pepe has been Portugal’s underrated defensive linchpin for two decades and, after a career of incredible heights and plenty of controversy, is set to become Germany’s oldest player in Euros history.
Portugal travel to Leipzig to face the Czech Republic in their opening match of Euro 2024 and could feature two of the tournament’s oldest players.
At one end of the field is 39-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo, the international game’s all-time leading goalscorer with an insatiable appetite for goals and records. At the other end is 41-year-old defensive playmaker Kepler Laverum de Lima Ferreira, known as Pepe.
The Brazilian-born centre-back could make history with a fifth European Championship appearance, having already won 137 caps, one short of five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo. If coach Roberto Martinez selects him for any of Portugal’s three group stage matches, Pepe will become the oldest player in Euros history.
The record is currently held by Hungary’s Gabor Kiraly, who played against Belgium in 2016 at the age of 40 years and 86 days, but given Pepe’s 3-0 friendly win over Ireland earlier this week, the record is unlikely to stand for much longer.
The veteran’s incredible longevity was much highlighted in last season’s Champions League, where he was outstanding in a last-16 win over Arsenal – with those two matches making him the oldest player in the history of Champions League knockouts.
To put how far those spindly legs have travelled, Pepe made his Champions League debut for Porto in 2004 before Englishman Kobe Mainu was even born. He signed for Real Madrid in July 2007, the same month that Spain’s rising star, Lamine Yamal, was born.
But despite all the plaudits for Pepe’s performance over the years, which included 38 appearances and a Portuguese Cup win last season, many see him as nothing more than a disruptor and a jerk.
This is mainly due to some high-profile incidents that have occurred during his two decades playing in Europe: in 2009, after conceding a penalty against Getafe, he “lost control” and kicked twice at an opponent he had just pinned to the ground, including a shocking head injury that saw him scrape his boots across Francisco Casqueiro’s back.
He later said it was the worst day of his life both as a player and as a person and was suspended for 10 matches, but he continued to live up to his reputation as a ruthless player, stamping on Lionel Messi’s hand in 2012, being sent off for a high tackle on Dani Alves in another El Clasico and being sent off for headbutting Thomas Muller at the 2014 World Cup in a 4-0 group stage defeat.
He has received 17 red cards in his career, less than one per season, and 212 yellow cards (compared to his long-time defensive partner at Real Madrid, Sergio Ramos, who has received a whopping 29).
It’s fair to call him a connoisseur of the black arts, but his defensive prowess has gone largely unnoticed due to his illegal activities and long tenure at the club. Pepe returned to Porto in 2019 as a three-time Champions League winner, and his reading of the game, pace, attacking and tackling excellence made him a key part of the two teams that won the Primeira Liga.
Even more incredible is Pepe’s record at the biggest tournaments with Portugal: he was named in the Euros Team of the Year three times, in 2008, 2012 and 2016, making him truly one of the best players in the tournament’s history.
The latter played the most crucial role, defending fearlessly throughout the tournament and earning man-of-the-match honors as Portugal beat France at home to win the Euros, and they will need his best performances in Germany.
Speaking about Pepe’s influence ahead of the Euros, Martinez said: “Pepe’s role in the dressing room is important and he represents the national team shirt. I think football is always a struggle during training camp.”
“It’s interesting that Pepe has played two games in March and kept a clean sheet for the full 90 minutes. His communication skills, his positioning means that when he’s fit he’s a really important player.”
His fate after the tournament is unclear, with his contract with Porto expiring this month, but in a clear indication of his value, Porto’s new manager has said that the decision to return is up to Pepe himself and that the legendary defender will listen to his body in Germany before making a decision about his future.
England are the favourites to win Euro 2024 this summer and will have the chance to get their hands on Nike’s latest home and away kits before kick-off.