Pepe (footballer, born 1983) facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

This page is about the footballer born in February 1983. For the footballer born in the same year, see Pepe (footballer, born October 1983). For other people named Pepe, see Pepe.

In this Portuguese name, the first or maternal family name is De Lima and the second or paternal family name is Ferreira.

Quick facts for kids
Pepe

Pepe with Portugal at the 2018 FIFA World Cup

Personal information

Full name

Kepler Laverán de Lima Ferreira

Date of birth

26 February 1983 (age 42)

Place of birth

Maceió, Brazil

Height

1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)

Position(s)

Centre-back

Youth career

1995–2001

Corinthians Alagoano

Senior career*

Years

Team

Apps

(Gls)

2001–2002

Marítimo B

(1)

2002–2004

Marítimo

(3)

2004–2007

Porto

(6)

2007–2017

Real Madrid

290

(13)

2017–2018

Beşiktaş

(5)

2019–2024

Porto

132

(7)

Total

535

(35)

International career

2007–2024

Portugal

141

(8)

Medal record

FIFA Confederations Cup

Men's football
Representing Portugal
UEFA European Championship
Winner	2016 France
Bronze	2012 Poland–Ukraine
UEFA Nations League
Winner	2019 Portugal
Third	2017 Russia

*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Kepler Laveran de Lima Ferreira (born on February 26, 1983), known as Pepe, is a former professional footballer. He played as a centre-back, which is a defender who plays in the middle of the field. Born in Brazil, he chose to play for the Portugal national team. Many people consider him one of the best defenders of his time and the greatest Portuguese defender ever.

Pepe grew up in Brazil before moving to Portugal to join Marítimo. Later, in 2004, he moved to Porto. During his first time at Porto, he helped them win two Primeira Liga titles, two Taça de Portugal cups, and the Intercontinental Cup.

Three years later, he joined Real Madrid, one of the biggest clubs in the world. He became a very important player there, winning many major trophies. These included three La Liga titles, two FIFA Club World Cup titles, two Copa del Rey cups, and three UEFA Champions League titles. He played a key role in all three Champions League victories.

After leaving Real Madrid, Pepe played for the Turkish club Beşiktaş in 2017. He then returned to Porto in 2019. In his final years with Porto, he won two more league titles, four more Taças de Portugal, and a Taça da Liga.

For his country, Pepe chose to play for Portugal. He represented Portugal in four FIFA World Cups and five UEFA European Championships. He helped Portugal win the UEFA Euro 2016 title in France. He was even named the best player in the final match. He was also chosen for the UEFA Euro Team of the Tournament in 2008, 2012, and 2016. In 2019, he also won the first-ever UEFA Nations League title. Pepe played 141 games for Portugal between 2007 and 2024. He announced his retirement from professional football in August 2024.

Club Career Highlights
International Career for Portugal
How Pepe Played
Personal Life
Career Statistics
- Club
- International
Honours and Awards
See also

Club Career Highlights

Starting in Portugal: Marítimo and Porto

Pepe was born in Maceió, Brazil. His father named him Kepler Laveran after famous scientists. He began playing football with a local club called Corinthians Alagoano. When he was 18, he moved to Portugal to play for Marítimo in Madeira. He spent most of his first year playing for their B-team.

After a year, he joined the main team for the 2002–03 season. He played in many games and even in different positions, like a defensive midfielder.

In May 2004, Pepe signed with Porto. This was just before Porto won the league and the UEFA Champions League.

In his first season with Porto, Pepe was mostly a backup player. But in the next year, he became a key defender. He helped Porto win two league titles in a row and the Taça de Portugal cup.

Pepe playing for Porto in 2006

Time at Real Madrid

Joining Real Madrid and Early Years

On July 10, 2007, Pepe joined Real Madrid on a five-year contract. Real Madrid paid Porto about €30 million for him. In his first season, Real Madrid won La Liga. He played very well in a 1–0 win against Barcelona.

During the 2008–09 season, Pepe had some injuries. On April 21, 2009, he was involved in an incident during a match against Getafe. He was sent off the field and later received a ten-match ban, which ended his season.

Pepe chasing down Sergio Agüero of Atlético Madrid in 2010

In the 2009–10 season, Pepe returned to the starting team. He scored his first league goal against Sevilla. However, in December, he suffered a serious knee injury during a match against Valencia. This injury meant he missed the rest of the season.

For the 2010–11 season, Pepe played alongside his countryman Ricardo Carvalho and under manager José Mourinho. They formed a strong defensive pair. After long talks, he signed a new contract with Real Madrid until 2015.

In April 2011, during a Champions League semi-final match, Pepe was sent off for a challenge on a Barcelona player. This decision caused a lot of discussion. He received a one-match ban for this.

Winning Trophies with Real Madrid

On July 12, 2011, Pepe extended his contract with Real Madrid again, until the 2015–16 season. In January 2012, he was involved in an incident with Lionel Messi during a Copa del Rey match. The incident was widely discussed, but he was later cleared of any wrongdoing.

Pepe warming up for Real Madrid in 2012

In March 2012, Pepe had a disagreement with the referee after a match, which led to him being suspended for two games.

In the 2011–12 season, Pepe and Sergio Ramos formed a very strong central defense. That season, he played in 29 league games and 45 games overall. Real Madrid won their 32nd league title.

In the 2013–14 season, Pepe scored more goals and played more games than ever before for Real Madrid. He played in 11 games during their successful Champions League campaign, where they won their tenth title, known as La Decima. The manager, Carlo Ancelotti, said Pepe was very important for the team, giving them confidence and leadership.

Pepe warming up for Real Madrid in 2016

In the 2015–16 season, Pepe played in nine Champions League games and 31 games in total. He started in the Champions League final against Atlético Madrid, which Real Madrid won in a penalty shootout.

In his last year at Real Madrid, Pepe had some injuries. He played in 13 games as Real Madrid won their 33rd La Liga title and their twelfth UEFA Champions League title. They defeated Juventus in the final.

Moving to Beşiktaş and Returning to Porto

On July 4, 2017, Pepe signed with Turkish club Beşiktaş as a free player. He scored his first goal for them on August 13 in a 2–0 win.

In April 2018, he received a red card during a Turkish Cup match against Fenerbahçe. He left Beşiktaş by agreement on December 17, 2018.

Pepe playing for Porto in 2019

On January 8, 2019, Pepe returned to Porto after more than ten years. He signed a 2.5-year contract. A week later, he played his first game back for Porto. His team finished second in the league in 2018–19 but won both the league and cup in 2019–20.

Pepe became the team captain on October 12, 2020. He extended his contract until 2023.

On October 25, 2023, at 40 years old, Pepe became the oldest outfield player to play in the UEFA Champions League. He broke a record that had stood for 17 years. On November 7, he scored a goal against Royal Antwerp, becoming the oldest goalscorer in Champions League history at 40 years and 254 days old. He scored again on December 13, setting his record to 40 years and 289 days.

On March 12, 2024, at 41 years old, Pepe became the first outfield player over 40 to play in the Champions League knockout stage in a match against Arsenal.

International Career for Portugal

Early Years and Major Tournaments

Pepe never played for his birth country, Brazil, in youth teams. In 2006, he was asked to play for Brazil, but he said no. He wanted to play for Portugal once he became a Portuguese citizen. He became a citizen in August 2007. On August 30, he was called up to the Portugal squad for the first time. He made his debut for Portugal in November 2007.

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

In the UEFA Euro 2008 tournament, Pepe played in all of Portugal's matches. He scored one goal in a 2–0 win against Turkey. Portugal was later knocked out by Germany.

During the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying games, Pepe often played as a defensive midfielder. After his serious knee injury with Real Madrid, he was still chosen for the World Cup team in South Africa.

Pepe training with Portugal at Euro 2012

Pepe was a starter again in UEFA Euro 2012. He scored the first goal in a group game against Denmark. He was named the best player of that match. In the semi-final, he scored in a penalty shootout against Spain, but Portugal lost.

In the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Pepe received a red card in Portugal's first match against Germany. He was suspended for the next game.

European Champion and Nations League Winner

Pepe played as a central defender in six of Portugal's seven matches at UEFA Euro 2016. He missed the semi-final due to injury but returned for the final. He was named the best player of the final match. He helped his team keep a clean sheet in a 1–0 extra-time victory over host country France. This win gave Portugal its first-ever international title. His performance in the final was praised for being strong and disciplined.

Pepe celebrates after scoring a late equaliser against Mexico at the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup in Moscow

On July 2, 2017, in the third-place match against Mexico at the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup, Pepe scored a goal in injury time. This sent the match into extra time, and Portugal eventually won 2–1, earning the bronze medal.

In Portugal's first match at the 2018 FIFA World Cup against Spain, Pepe was involved in a collision that led to a goal for Spain. In Portugal's second match, he was criticized for exaggerating a contact with an opponent. He scored in Portugal's 2–1 loss against Uruguay in the round of 16.

On September 6, 2018, in a friendly match against Croatia, Pepe played his 100th game for Portugal. He was the captain and scored a goal to make the game a 1–1 draw.

Pepe was part of Portugal's team that won the 2018–19 UEFA Nations League in 2019. He captained the team in several matches. He fractured his right shoulder in the semi-final, so he missed the final match, which Portugal won 1–0 against the Netherlands.

Final International Tournaments and Retirement

At the UEFA Euro 2020 finals (played in 2021), 38-year-old Pepe was the oldest outfield player. In November 2021, he was sent off in a World Cup qualifying match against the Republic of Ireland.

In October 2022, he was chosen for Portugal's team for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. He scored Portugal's second goal in a 6–1 win against Switzerland in the round of 16. By doing this, at 39 years and 283 days old, he became the oldest player to score in the knockout stage of the World Cup. He was also the second-oldest player ever to score in the tournament.

In May 2024, Pepe was selected for the UEFA Euro 2024 squad. In the opening match against the Czech Republic on June 18, he became the oldest player to ever play in the UEFA European Championship, at 41 years and 113 days old. He also became one of only three players to play in five European Championships. Portugal was knocked out in the quarter-finals by France. This match was Pepe's last in professional football. One month later, on August 8, 2024, he announced his retirement from football at age 41.

How Pepe Played

Pepe was known as a fast, strong, and determined defender. He was famous for his hard work and tough tackling. Because of his height, he was also good at heading the ball during set-pieces (like corner kicks). He usually played as a central defender, but sometimes he played as a defensive midfielder for his country.

Even though he was a great defender, he sometimes received criticism for his behavior on the field. This included sometimes acting in ways that led to him getting yellow or red cards. However, many experts and other players also recognized him for his leadership, smart play, and how long he played at a high level.

Personal Life

Pepe is married to Ana Sofia Moreira. They met in Porto in 2007. They have two daughters together.

Career Statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club	Season	League			National cup		League cup		Continental		Other		Total
Club	Season	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	0	1	0	22	1
	2005–06		24	1	4	0	—		5	2	—		33	3
	2006–07		25	4	0	0	—		8	0	1	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	0	2	0	25	0
	2008–09		26	0	0	0	—		5	0	1	0	32	0
	2009–10		10	1	1	0	—		6	0	—		17	1
	2010–11		26	1	4	0	—		8	0	—		38	1
	2011–12		29	1	5	0	—		9	0	2	0	45	1
	2012–13		28	1	2	0	—		11	1	1	0	42	2
	2013–14		30	4	7	1	—		11	0	—		48	5
	2014–15		27	2	1	0	—		6	0	4	0	38	2
	2015–16		21	1	1	0	—		9	0	—		31	1
	2016–17		13	2	2	0	—		3	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	0	1	0	35	2
	2018–19	Süper Lig	10	3	0	0	—		7	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	0	—		21	2
	2019–20		25	1	2	0	1	0	9	0	—		37	1
	2020–21		27	2	4	0	2	0	6	0	1	0	40	2
	2021–22		21	1	3	0	0	0	9	0	—		33	1
	2022–23		24	0	5	0	2	0	4	0	1	0	36	0
	2023–24		22	1	4	0	0	0	7	2	1	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

International

Appearances and goals by national team and year
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 (aet)	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