Pepe (footballer, born 1983)
Kepler Laveran de Lima Ferreira ComM (born 26 February 1983), known as Pepe (Brazilian Portuguese: [ˈpɛpi]; European Portuguese: [-pɨ]), is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a centre back for Porto and the Portugal national team.
![]() Pepe lining up for Portugal at the 2018 FIFA World Cup | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Full name | Kepler Laveran de Lima Ferreira[1] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Date of birth | [1] | 26 February 1983||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Place of birth | Maceió, Brazil | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Height | 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in)[2] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Position(s) | Centre back | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Club information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Current team | Porto | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Number | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Youth career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1995–2001 | Corinthians-AL | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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 | 230 | (15) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2017–2019 | Beşiktaş | 52 | (7) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2019– | Porto | 47 | (4) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
National team‡ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2007– | Portugal | 113 | (7) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Honours
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 23:03, 25 January 2021 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 21:35, 14 October 2020 (UTC) |
During his professional career, Pepe played for Marítimo, Porto, Real Madrid, and Beşiktaş, with individual and team success with the middle two clubs.[3] He won three La Liga titles, three UEFA Champions League titles, two Copa del Rey titles and played 334 games for Real Madrid.[4] He has also won three Primeira Liga titles and two Taça de Portugal titles with Porto.
Born and raised in Brazil, Pepe opted to play for the Portugal national team, and has earned 113 caps since his debut in 2007. He played at three FIFA World Cups and three UEFA European Championships, and was a member of the team that won Euro 2016, also reaching the semi-finals of Euro 2012.
Club career
Marítimo
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 Russian manager Anatoliy Byshovets, Pepe rarely missed a match, playing in several positions including defensive midfielder.
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
![](../I/Pepe_Porto.jpg.webp)
In May 2004, shortly before the club sealed a treble of the league, cup 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, 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 Brazilian often pitched as the only natural stopper. Porto eventually won back-to-back leagues and the Taça de Portugal.
2007–11 seasons
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]
![](../I/Pepe_y_aguero.jpg.webp)
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, jeopardizing 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 criticized 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 seasons
![](../I/Pepe_entrenando.jpg.webp)
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]
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 equalizing 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]
![](../I/Shahter-Reak_M_2015_(19).jpg.webp)
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 the 2016–17 UEFA Champions League, defeating Juventus in the final at Principality Stadium, Cardiff.[42]
Beşiktaş
On 4 July 2017, Turkish Süper Lig side Beşiktaş announced the signing of Pepe on a free transfer from Real Madrid.[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, Pepe 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]
On 17 December 2018, Pepe revoked his contract with Beşiktaş in a mutual agreement.[47]
Return to Porto
On 8 January 2019, Pepe returned to Porto after over a decade, on a 21⁄2-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]
International career
Naturalization, Euro 2008 and 2010 World Cup
![](../I/Pepe_Euro_2012.jpg.webp)
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.[53] He became naturalized in August 2007 and, on 30 August, was named in the Portuguese squad for the first time in view of a UEFA Euro 2008 qualifier against Poland.[54] An injury while training for his club prevented the debut for his adopted country, which would materialize 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.[55] 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 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).
Euro 2012 and 2014 World Cup
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.[56] He was later chosen by UEFA as man of the match[57] 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.[58]
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.[59][60]
Euro 2016 Champion and 2017 Confederations Cup
Pepe was named man of the match in the Euro 2016 final, helping his team to keep a clean-sheet in a 1–0 extra-time victory over hosts France and win his nation's first ever international title.[61] His performance in the final was particularly noted by Sky Sports and Football Paradise's Juuso Kilpeläinen for being firm and disciplined.[62][63]
![](../I/Mex-por-69.jpg.webp)
![](../I/Mex-por-71.jpg.webp)
On 2 July 2017, in the third-place match against Mexico at the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup, Pepe scored an injury time equalizer to send the match into extra-time. Portugal eventually won the match 2–1 to capture the bronze medal.[64]
2018 FIFA World Cup
In Portugal's opening match against Spain, 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".[65] Former striker Didier Drogba also expressed derision for Pepe, stating "he's been doing this quite a few times".[65] Pepe scored in Portugal's defeat against Uruguay in the last 16.[66]
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.[67]
Personal life
Pepe is married to Ana Sofia Moreira, whom he met in Porto in 2007. Together, they have two daughters.[68]
Style of play
A quick, aggressive, physically strong, and tenacious defender, Pepe is known for his work-rate and hard-tackling style of play; due to his height, he is also an aerial threat on set-pieces. While he usually plays as a centre-back, he has also been deployed as a defensive midfielder at international level. However, despite his defensive abilities, he has also drawn criticism in the media due to his tendency to pick up cards, as he has often shown violent or unsportsmanlike behaviour, which includes diving,[65] on the pitch.[69][70][71][72][73][74][75]
Career statistics
Club
Club | Season | League | National Cup[lower-alpha 1] | Continental | Other | Total | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
Marítimo | 2001–02 | Primeira Liga | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 4 | 0 | ||
2002–03 | Primeira Liga | 29 | 2 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 29 | 2 | |||
2003–04 | Primeira Liga | 30 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 31 | 1 | |||
Total | 63 | 3 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 64 | 3 | ||||
Porto | 2004–05 | Primeira Liga | 15 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5[lower-alpha 2] | 0 | 1[lower-alpha 3] | 0 | 22 | 1 |
2005–06 | Primeira Liga | 24 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 5[lower-alpha 2] | 2 | — | 33 | 3 | ||
2006–07 | Primeira Liga | 25 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 8[lower-alpha 2] | 0 | 1[lower-alpha 4] | 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[lower-alpha 2] | 0 | 2[lower-alpha 5] | 0 | 25 | 0 |
2008–09 | La Liga | 26 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5[lower-alpha 2] | 0 | 1[lower-alpha 5] | 0 | 32 | 0 | |
2009–10 | La Liga | 10 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 6[lower-alpha 2] | 0 | — | 17 | 1 | ||
2010–11 | La Liga | 26 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 8[lower-alpha 2] | 0 | — | 38 | 1 | ||
2011–12 | La Liga | 29 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 9[lower-alpha 2] | 0 | 2[lower-alpha 5] | 0 | 45 | 1 | |
2012–13 | La Liga | 28 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 11[lower-alpha 2] | 1 | 1[lower-alpha 5] | 0 | 42 | 2 | |
2013–14 | La Liga | 30 | 4 | 7 | 1 | 11[lower-alpha 2] | 0 | — | 48 | 5 | ||
2014–15 | La Liga | 27 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6[lower-alpha 2] | 0 | 4[lower-alpha 6] | 0 | 38 | 2 | |
2015–16 | La Liga | 21 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 9[lower-alpha 2] | 0 | — | 31 | 1 | ||
2016–17 | La Liga | 13 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3[lower-alpha 2] | 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[lower-alpha 2] | 0 | 1[lower-alpha 7] | 0 | 35 | 2 |
2018–19 | Süper Lig | 10 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 7[lower-alpha 8] | 2 | — | 17 | 5 | ||
Total | 33 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 13 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 52 | 7 | ||
Porto | 2018–19 | Primeira Liga | 13 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 3[lower-alpha 2] | 0 | 2[lower-alpha 9] | 0 | 21 | 2 |
2019–20 | Primeira Liga | 25 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 9[lower-alpha 10] | 0 | 1[lower-alpha 9] | 0 | 37 | 1 | |
2020–21 | Primeira Liga | 9 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2[lower-alpha 2] | 0 | 3[lower-alpha 11] | 0 | 16 | 1 | |
Total | 47 | 4 | 7 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 74 | 4 | ||
Career total | 436 | 31 | 42 | 1 | 116 | 5 | 19 | 0 | 613 | 37 |
- Appearances in Taça de Portugal, Copa del Rey and Turkish Cup
- Appearance(s) in UEFA Champions League
- Appearance in UEFA Super Cup
- Appearance in Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira
- Appearance(s) in Supercopa de España
- One appearance in UEFA Super Cup, one appearance in Supercopa de España and two appearances in FIFA Club World Cup
- Appearance in Turkish Super Cup
- Appearance(s) in UEFA Europa League
- Appearance(s) in Taça da Liga
- Two appearances in UEFA Champions League and seven appearances in UEFA Europa League
- Two appearances in Taça da Liga and one appearance in Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira
International
- As of match played 14 October 2020[78]
Portugal | ||
---|---|---|
Year | Apps | Goals |
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 |
Total | 113 | 7 |
International goals
Goal | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | 7 June 2008 | Stade de Genève, Geneve, Switzerland | ![]() | UEFA Euro 2008 | ||
2. | 9 September 2009 | Stadium Puskás Ferenc, Budapest, Hungary | ![]() | 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification | ||
3. | 13 June 2012 | Arena Lviv, Lviv, Ukraine | ![]() | UEFA Euro 2012 | ||
4. | 1 September 2016 | Estádio do Bessa, Porto, Portugal | ![]() | Friendly | ||
5. | 2 July 2017 | Otkrytiye Arena, Moscow, Russia | ![]() | 2–1 (a.e.t.) | 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup | |
6. | 30 June 2018 | Fisht Olympic Stadium, Sochi, Russia | ![]() | 2018 FIFA World Cup | ||
7. | 6 September 2018 | Estádio Algarve, Faro/Loulé, Portugal | ![]() | Friendly |
Honours
Club
Porto[79]
- Primeira Liga: 2005–06, 2006–07, 2019–20
- Taça de Portugal: 2005–06, 2019–20
- Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira: 2004, 2006, 2020
- Intercontinental Cup: 2004
Real Madrid[79]
Individual
- UEFA European Championship Team of the Tournament: 2008, 2012, 2016[81]
- UEFA Champions League Team of the Season: 2013–14
- ESM Team of the Year: 2013–14
- CNID Best Portuguese Athlete Abroad: 2014
- FIFA FIFPro World XI 2nd team: 2016[82]
- FIFA FIFPro World XI 3rd team: 2014[83]
- FIFA FIFPro World XI 4th team: 2013, 2015[84][85]
- FIFA FIFPro World XI 5th team: 2017[86]
Orders
Commander of the Order of Merit [87]
References
- "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.
- https://www.fpf.pt/Jogadores/Pepe
- "Pepe: Real Madrid defender leaving club after 10 years at Bernabeu". BBC Sport. Retrieved 8 June 2017.
- Lowe, Sid (7 June 2017). "Pepe leaves Real Madrid a touch bitter but with inner Hannibal Lecter tamed | Sid Lowe". the Guardian.
- "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.
- "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.
- "Pepe já assinou contrato" [Pepe already signed a contract]. Record (in Portuguese). 13 May 2004. Retrieved 24 December 2020.
- Madrid pick up Pepe from Porto; UEFA.com, 10 July 2007
- Deportivo curse strikes again for Real; Soccerway, 15 March 2008
- Balboa y Pepe se pelean durante el entrenamiento (Balboa and Pepe fight during training); Marca, 9 November 2007 (in Spanish)
- 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)
- Pepe receives 10-game ban; Sportsnet, 24 April 2009
- Injury blow for Real Madrid defender Pepe; The Daily Telegraph, 13 December 2009
- 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)
- Pepe nearing Real Madrid exit; Soccer News, 2 October 2010
- Madrid defender Pepe ruled out with calf injury; USA Today, 7 January 2011
- Madrid hopeful over Pepe deal; ESPN Soccernet, 21 March 2011
- Pepe signs 2015 Real Madrid contract extension; Goal.com, 21 March 2011
- Ten-man Madrid undone by Messi magic; UEFA.com, 27 April 2011
- Real release "proof" of Alves dive; ESPN Soccernet, 28 April 2011
- "Disciplinary cases opened against Real Madrid and Barcelona". UEFA.com. 28 April 2011. Retrieved 24 January 2012.
- "Sanctions for Madrid and Barcelona". UEFA.com. 6 May 2011. Archived from the original on 22 July 2011. Retrieved 24 January 2012.
- "Pepe, Ramos extend Real contracts". ESPNFC.com. 12 July 2011. Retrieved 27 July 2011.
- "Ronaldo hits hat-trick". Soccernet. ESPN. 6 November 2011. Retrieved 10 November 2011.
- 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.
- 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. Retrieved 23 January 2012.
- "Spanish papers brand Pepe 'shameful' for stamping on Lionel Messi". The Guardian. Guardian News and Media. 19 January 2012. Retrieved 23 January 2012.
- "Pepe apologises for 'unintentional' stamp on Lionel Messi's hand". The Guardian. Guardian News and Media. 20 January 2012. Retrieved 23 January 2012.
- Edwards, Luke (23 January 2012). "Jose Mourinho to quit as Real Madrid manager in June". The Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group. Retrieved 24 January 2012.
- "Pepe cleared over stamp claims". Sky Sports. 24 January 2012. Retrieved 24 January 2012.
- "Vaya atraco, hijo de puta" [What a ripoff motherfucker]. Marca. 22 March 2012. Retrieved 23 March 2012.
- "Pepe handed two-match ban". ESPN Soccernet. 23 March 2012. Retrieved 23 March 2012.
- "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.
- "Real Madrid's Pepe in hospital following Casillas collision". Goal.com. 19 August 2012. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
- "Real Madrid's Pepe home from hospital". Soccernet. ESPN. 20 August 2012. Retrieved 22 August 2012.
- "Mourinho: "Pepe's problem is Varane"". Marca.com. 7 May 2013.
- "La final acabó en bronca Pepe-Simeone y mecherazo a Courtois". Marca.com. 18 May 2013.
- Lowe, Sid (7 June 2017). "Pepe leaves Real Madrid a touch bitter but with inner Hannibal Lecter tamed". The Guardian.
- "Spot-on Real Madrid defeat Atlético in final again". UEFA.com. 28 May 2016.
- "El Real Madrid, campeón de LaLiga Santander 2016/17". LaLiga.es. 21 May 2017.
- "Real Madrid win La Liga title with victory at Malaga". BBC Sport. 21 May 2017.
- "Majestic Real Madrid win Champions League in Cardiff". UEFA.com. 3 June 2017.
- "Kepler Laveran Lima Ferreira'nın (Pepe) Transferi İçin Görüşmelere Başlandı". Beşiktaş JK. 4 July 2017. Retrieved 4 July 2017.
- Beşiktaş (5 July 2017). "Results or Ending of Transfer Meetings" (Press release) (in Turkish). Turkish Public Disclosure Platform (KAP). Retrieved 6 July 2017.
- "Beşiktaş vs. Antalyaspor". Soccerway. Perform Group. 13 August 2017. Retrieved 13 August 2017.
- "Besiktas coach injured in abandoned Istanbul derby". Sky Sports. 20 August 2018.
- "Thank you for your services Pepe!". Beşiktaş JK. 17 December 2018.
- "Oficial: Pepe está de regresso ao FC Porto" [Official: Pepe is returning to FC Porto]. O Jogo (in Portuguese). 8 January 2019. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
- "Pepe hizo una entrada 'criminal' en su debut con el Porto" [Pepe made a 'criminal' entrance on his debut for Porto]. Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). 16 January 2019. Retrieved 17 January 2019.
- "Pepe após a dobradinha: "Força para os que perderam alguém, que foram afetadas"" [Pepe after the double: "This is for those who lost someone, who were affected"]. O Jogo (in Portuguese). 2 August 2020. Retrieved 24 December 2020.
- "Pepe herda braçadeira de capitão" [Pepe inherits the captain's armband]. Record (in Portuguese). 12 October 2020. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
- Asikci, Emre (4 November 2020). "Football: Porto extend contract with defender Pepe". Anadolu Agency. Retrieved 24 December 2020.
- "Pepe esteve exemplar" ("Pepe was perfect"); Correio da Manhã, 9 June 2008 (in Portuguese)
- Portugal name Pepe in Euro 2008 qualifiers squad; ESPN Soccernet, 30 August 2007
- Pepe joy in Geneva; UEFA.com, 8 June 2008
- Last-gasp Varela revives Portugal's hopes; UEFA.com, 13 June 2012
- Pepe does it again for Portugal Archived 15 June 2012 at the Wayback Machine; UEFA.com, 13 June 2012
- "Spain survive test of nerve to reach final". UEFA.com. UEFA. 27 June 2012. Retrieved 18 June 2014.
- "Muller-inspired Germany thrash ten-man Portugal". FIFA.com. FIFA. 16 June 2014. Retrieved 17 June 2014.
- Hayward, Paul (16 June 2014). "Thomas Müller not to blame for Pepe's headbutt during Germany's 4–0 win over Portugal". The Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group. Retrieved 2 July 2014.
- Kell, Tom (10 July 2016). "Portugal spoil France's party with extra-time win". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. Retrieved 10 July 2016.
- Kilpeläinen, Juuso (28 July 2018). "The finals of Euro 2016: The night of contradictions, the night of Pepe". Football Paradise. Retrieved 15 December 2020.
- Pro Soccer Development (11 July 2016). "Euro 2016 analysis: Pepe's part in Portugal's historic win". Sky Sports. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
- "Portugal 2–1 Mexico". FIFA.com. 2 July 2017. Retrieved 11 August 2017.
- "That's embarrassing! BBC pundits analyse Pepe's tumble". BBC. Retrieved 20 June 2018
- "Cavani fires La Celeste past European champions". FIFA.com. 30 June 2018.
- "Pepe scores on 100th appearance as Portugal hold Croatia". Reuters. 6 September 2018. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
- "Ana Sofia Moreira é a inspiração de Pepe" [Ana Sofia Moreira is Pepe's inspiration]. Record (in Portuguese). 18 June 2016. Retrieved 24 December 2020.
- "Pepe receives 10-game ban". Sportsnet. 24 April 2009. Retrieved 10 October 2015.
- "The Pepe Controversy And The Spanish Press: Marca, Xenophobia And The Lowest Common Denominator". SB Nation. 24 January 2012. Retrieved 10 October 2015.
- "Pepe faces possible three-game ban after red card". Reuters. 16 June 2014. Retrieved 10 October 2015.
- "Pepe, il "macellaio" del Real Madrid Ecco la top 5 dei falli più significativi" [Pepe, the "butcher" of Real Madrid Here are his top 5 most significant fouls] (in Italian). La Gazzetta dello Sport. 5 May 2015. Retrieved 10 October 2015.
- Cartlidge, David (6 July 2016). "In defence of Portugal's Pepe". ITV. Retrieved 12 March 2017.
- Ough, Tom (25 June 2016). "Croatia 0–1 Portugal, Euro 2016: Ricardo Quaresma hits late winner after 117 minutes without a shot on target". The Telegraph. Retrieved 13 March 2017.
- "Penpix of Portugal's squad". Reuters. 21 May 2010. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
- "Pepe". Soccerway. Retrieved 20 April 2014.
- "Pepe". Footballdatabase. Retrieved 7 January 2019.
- "Pepe". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmerman.
- "Pepe". Soccerway. Retrieved 9 October 2015.
- "Portugal regressa ao topo da Europa. Liga das Nações fica em casa" [Portugal returns to the top of Europe. Nations League stays home]. Sapo. 9 June 2019. Retrieved 10 June 2019.
- "UEFA EURO 2016 Team of the Tournament revealed". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 11 July 2016. Retrieved 11 July 2016.
- "2016 World 11: the reserve teams - FIFPro World Players' Union". FIFPro.org. 9 January 2017. Archived from the original on 9 April 2019. Retrieved 1 October 2017.
- "FIFA FIFPro World XI: the reserve teams - FIFPro World Players' Union". FIFPro.org. 15 January 2015. Archived from the original on 14 April 2019. Retrieved 1 October 2017.
- "FifPro announces reserve Teams of the Year - but Luis Suarez and Arjen Robben won't be laughing while Iker Casillas is somehow named the second best goalkeeper of 2013". Independent.co.uk. 15 January 2014. Retrieved 1 October 2017.
- "2015 World XI: the Reserve Teams - FIFPro World Players' Union". FIFPro.org. 11 January 2016. Archived from the original on 9 April 2019. Retrieved 1 October 2017.
- "2016-2017 World 11: the Reserve Teams - FIFPro World Players' Union". FIFPro.org. 23 October 2017. Archived from the original on 6 April 2019. Retrieved 23 October 2017.
- "Seleção recebe insígnias de Marcelo no Porto" [National team receives insignia from Marcelo in Porto] (in Portuguese). Diário de Notícias. 25 August 2016. Retrieved 11 August 2017.