Portuguese · Maturim, Venezuela · Born 26 February 1983Portuguese defender known for his aggressive style, aerial ability, and leadership. Won 3 Champions League titles with Real Madrid and Euro 2016 with Portugal.
Képler Laveran Lima Ferreira — Pepe — was born in Maceió, Brazil in 1983 and chose Portuguese citizenship through his family background. Porto sold him to Real Madrid for £24 million in 2007. His ten Madrid seasons produced three Champions Leagues and two La Liga titles as the physical anchor alongside Sergio Ramos. He won Euro 2016 with Portugal — the country's first major international trophy — and the Nations League in 2019. He represented Portugal 141 times. His playing style combined genuine defensive ability with physical aggression — he accumulated red cards and disciplinary incidents throughout his career that overshadowed his legitimate quality as a reader of the game and an aerial defender. He returned to Porto in 2019 and at age 41 was still starting competitive matches in European football — one of the longest elite careers in the game's history. His combination of genuine championship-winning defending with the controversies of his career makes him one of football's most discussed individual figures.
Three consecutive Champions League titles with Real Madrid
How They Played
Physical, aggressive defender with strong aerial ability and leadership
Lasting Impact
One of the most successful centre-backs in Champions League history
Career Honours
- Champions League 3x (2014,2016,2018)
- La Liga 2x
- Euro (Portugal 2016)
- Nations League (2019)
- Champions League 2014
- Champions League 2016
- Champions League 2018
- UEFA Euro 2016
- UEFA Nations League 2019
| Club | Period | Apps | Goals | Shirt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marítimo | 2001–2004 | 64 | 10 | #5 |
| Porto | 2004–2007 | 64 | 2 | — |
| Real Madrid | 2007–2017 | 334 | 15 | — |
| Besiktas | 2017–2019 | 76 | 4 | — |
 Portugal | — | 141 | 7 | — |
Portuguese Athletes