Pepê thriving at FC Porto: “I’m really happy with how things are going” | OneFootball

With Francesco Farioli at the helm, Pepê regained his performance and confidence at Estádio do Dragão. After a 2024/25 season marked by failures and criticism, the Brazilian international seemed headed for an exit, but seized the opportunity offered by the Italian coach and responded effectively on the field: goals.

In FC Porto's first two matches of the 2025/26 season, Pepê was decisive – he paved the way for the home victory against Vitória SC and sealed the win away at Gil Vicente on Monday. Besides his precise shots, he recovered dynamics that made him a valuable piece in the game model introduced by Farioli. After his time at Grêmio, he delivered two standout performances at the start of this new cycle and left past controversies behind.

It is also worth mentioning that he is just one goal away from matching last season's total. His demeanor has also changed: the way he appeared in the "flash interview" in Barcelos reinforces this feeling.

"I am very happy with the moment I am living and with the camaraderie of all my teammates, who have been helping me. This is very important to me, after last season, which was difficult and in which I didn't do my best. I had to return to being the Pepê I always was. I am very happy to be helping the team," he emphasized.

Pepê's good form has once again put his name in the orbit of the Brazilian national team. With Vinícius Júnior absent from the pre-call-up, Carlo Ancelotti is looking for alternatives and may once again consider the FC Porto player, who has already worn the canary jersey on two occasions, by decision of Fernando Diniz and Dorival Júnior, in 2023 and 2024. If the call-up is confirmed – Ancelotti reveals the chosen ones on Monday – it will be the confirmation of a 180-degree turnaround in Pepê's career. Not long ago, he was seen as somewhat controversial among FC Porto fans; now, he receives praise in the Dragão court.

Curiously, the visit to Barcelos – the stage of the beginning of the conflict with Vítor Bruno – served as a new opportunity for redemption for the player.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.