5 things you didn’t know about Pepe

Some players don’t get enough recognition for their work because of the image they have among the general mass. Képler Laveran Lima Ferreira,is one of those players. Even though he has been at the top for a decade now, he rarely finds his name being mentioned among the best defenders in the world.

The Portuguese international has been one of the most consistent defenders in the world over a period of the last 10 years, and has achieved great success with his club Real Madrid and won Euro 2016 recently, with Portugal.

Though he is now in his mid-30s, his performances have been very good. Known to be an emotional and hot-headed player, he has shown that he has a good heart.

Here are 5 things you didn’t know about the man -

Man of the Match in Euro 2016 final and part of Team of the Tournament

Pepe was colossal for Portugal in defense at Euro 2016 and was duly rewarded with his team winning the title. For starters, reaching the final of the tournament itself was a miracle for them, as they won only one game in the allotted 90 minutes in the whole tournament. Winning the grand prize was something they would have never expected in their wildest dreams.

While the limelight was on Cristiano Ronaldo, it was Pepe whose steely displays in defense helped Portugal to a historic triumph. Cristiano Ronaldo was out injured with about three-fourth of the match left to play in the final. When most of Portugal’s hopes had already waned, Pepe stood up like a leader and defended like his life was on the line.

And, in the end, he was awarded with the man of the match accolade for his outstanding display of bravery and solidity in Portugal’s backline.

His consistency throughout the tournament also saw him named in the Team of the Tournament.

Buying food for the needy

This is the other side of Pepe; the face that comes as a surprise given his aggressive nature on the field. Most of us that are reading this are ones who manage to eat at least thrice a day. However, there are many people in this world dying of starvation.

Pepe, who grew up in adverse conditions himself, knew the pain of these people and decided to donate 9000 (Nine thousand, yes) kilos of food to 200 families in the Madrid neighbourhood of Las Rozas.

This happened two weeks before the Christmas of 2014; it was his way of ensuring that the under-privileged families had a blessed and merry Christmas.

First pair of boots

Though Pepe now wears Umbro Medusae while plying his trade on the field, it wasn’t always that he was able to wear such a comfortable pair of shoes; shoes that help provide solidity while also aiding in speed of movement.

This is one emotional story. As previously mentioned, Pepe grew up in an environment where his father was the sole bread winner of the family. Pepe Sr. was a daily labourer and the family ate what he brought.

However, Pepe had big dreams and needed a pair of boots to fulfill them. After constantly asking his father to buy him a pair of Umbro boots, his father took him to the shop and asked the shopkeeper about its price. The price was so high that it was almost 3 times of what he earned in a month.

But, he had to fulfill his son’s dream. Hence, Papa Pepe ran to a friend and borrowed one of her credit cards and bought the boots, paying the money back on 15-cruzeiros-a-month installments.

Pepe’s father actually went to other places to work and opted to save money by eating sandwiches for dinner and lunch and sleeping in the car instead of hotels.

An inspirational story indeed, considering where Pepe is today and how important a role that first pair of boots played in his life.

He is actually Brazilian

You might be wondering how Pepe’s father paid in cruzeiros when he was in Portugal. He was not. Pepe was born and raised in Brazil, but has his adopted nation to thank for his football upbringing.

He moved to Portugal to try out his luck with Club Sport Maritimo in 2001—a decision that bore fruit as it was the seed that sowed his football career.

Why did he choose to not represent Brazil?

"I feel a bit like this (lack of recognition)," the Real Madrid defender said.

“But, I also understand. I left the country just before I turned 18 years and nobody knew me. I had a unique opportunity to come to Madeira and play in the Portuguese league. I feel something inside also moves with the person, but I took the option of leaving my country. I was lucky to succeed and be happy."

And that’s the story in his own words.

Was once most expensive defender in La Liga

Pepe’s rise in Portugal was so steep that he went on to become one of the best in the world. With that, Real Madrid had enough incentive to sign him and splashed out a then La Liga record fee of €30 million in 2007.

The only other other defender who cost more at that time was Rio Ferdinand when he joined Manchester United from Leeds United back in 2002.

Right now, however, Pepe finds himself 10th in the list of the most expensive defenders of all time, showing the eagerness of clubs to spend big for defenders. It must be said that it was Real Madrid’s best investment since Pepe, even after 10 years, finds himself as the first-choice defender at the club.