Pepe: I thought hard work meant no losses, but it’s part of football | OneFootball

Pepe was present this Saturday at the Portugal Football Summit and, in a ‘One on One’ with Pedro Pinto, addressed various topics, from the start of his career to the motivation that kept him going even after turning 40.

Memories from the beginning: “At 18, I dreamed of being a professional and playing in a game that would be on TV so my mother could watch. I came very early, Portugal opened its doors to me and welcomed me incredibly well. I went to Madeira. The first steps are always very complicated. Leaving parents, siblings, your roots… But Madeira and Portugal embraced me, gave me affection. I made great friends that I’ll keep for the rest of my life. Sacrifice, resilience, working hard and believing, not letting down the people who always believed in me,” recalled the former Portuguese international, now 42 years old.

Character building: “I was shaped as I went. But I already was. When I arrived, I went to play a training match where Marítimo wanted to take a striker. They told me to go easy on him, but I thought ‘I have to be honest with myself and do the hardest thing’. After 15 minutes, Nelo Vingada comes down: ‘Hey kid, come here’. I was shy, embarrassed… He said: ‘Do you want to go to Portugal?’. I said I did. ‘Why didn’t you let the striker score?’. ‘I’m a defender. I can’t,’ I replied. ‘Alright then, you’re going to Marítimo’. I was shaped by what I did on the pitch. I was a very intense player. I always believed that with hard work we wouldn’t lose. I came to see that losing is also part of it, but as long as you give everything you have, all your passion, rigor in what you do… That’s what sport is, three possible results, perfectly normal.”

Constant motivation: “Family is very important. They also buy into what you want for the future. After turning 30, I noticed I learned a lot from the younger players. I started absorbing their energy and trying to adapt it to my own conditions. Always with professionalism and rigor, I tried to respect rest, nutrition, training on the pitch… For me, training didn’t end there, I had another 23 hours to train and prepare myself. It’s very hard work for players over 40. You need to spend 23 hours always thinking about those 90 minutes. A lot of constant dedication.”

About Euro 2016: “I came to the National Team at Euro 2008, played two games. Portugal was always close. 2004… Semifinals, finals… When we got to that 2016 game, after a super exhausting season… At my club it had been a super victorious season. Being so close, we had to leave everything on the pitch. Where they put their foot, we had to put our head. That’s how we approached the game. In the pre-match, we saw the French team bus practically ready for the next day. That was a sign that made me angry, to give everything. I passed the word, with coach Fernando Santos, in the talks, the photos of the bus… That’s where we started to win the game. In terms of willpower, I think the French couldn’t beat us, nor could anyone, as long as we had that desire to go to the limit. That’s what we, the players, and the emigrants felt. And that feeling spread.”

Memories of that journey: “Happiness. We were in Marcousi, there were many Portuguese emigrants and they were fundamental for us. At 3 or 4 in the morning there were 15, 20 thousand people waiting for us. In the morning we’d wake up tired to train and it felt good to feel that warmth from the people, having to train well with three or four hours of sleep. We started to pass on the message and feel their happiness. We started to feel the responsibility to give back. We’d turn on the TV, seeing a sea of people here in Portugal watching on the big screens. It was very beautiful, a happiness for which we can’t find words.”

Experience at Real Madrid: “I spent 10 years at the best club in the world, with brutal demands and pressure. At Real we learned a lot about the World Cup mindset. Every three days there was another tough game. It didn’t matter if it was Bayern, Manchester United, or a mid-table Spanish team. They all had quality players at their best level. Ten years in that environment teaches you that every game is important. We win today, let’s think about the next game. That’s where recovery, nutrition, etc. come in. To prepare for the next game. When I won a game, it felt like I couldn’t enjoy it. Always had to keep my feet on the ground.”

Relationship with FC Porto and saying goodbye to the pitch: “My relationship with FC Porto was very beautiful. In 2004, after the Champions League, I had the chance to go to a big club. The first year wasn’t easy, but I adapted to the demands. It was the club that took me to Europe and shaped me to be a winner. I’m very grateful for what FC Porto and the city gave me, for the woman I have to this day and our three wonderful children. I have a lot of affection. Leaving is not easy for any player, having to put an end to your career. I could have played another year or two, but life circumstances didn’t allow it. I respect that. The most important thing is that one day I can return to that club and contribute to the club and the city.”

From family man to ‘Pepe the warrior’? “With the National Team I defended 11 million people. Seeing their happiness, I was also on that side. I was a fan, I always tried to pass on my positive energy, even when facing difficulties. I always tried to defend the National Team and the clubs I played for, with my purity, dedication, and inner honesty.”

Do you miss competing? “You never lose that personality. Do I miss playing? Not for now. While I was a player, I always gave my best. Now the adrenaline… Now I ride a bike, I’m an amateur cyclist, which is a real ‘battle’. In football, it’s a team sport, a mistake is shared by everyone, everyone is to blame. On the bike you can’t fail, it’s just you and the machine. A constant battle with your mind. If you stop and give up, it’s on you. It wasn’t your teammate. I keep fighting mentally, keeping myself well, healthy. I run a lot too. I’ve played for the Federation Legends, I’m also at Real Madrid. Football never leaves our essence. I believe I’m an asset to help the younger players.”

Life outside of sports: “Being a father (laughs). When you’re in the grinder, as we players used to say… Things go by without you noticing. Now being in control of my own time is very valuable. I’m really enjoying it.”

Desired legacy: “Above all, a good teammate. A leader has to set the example, not impose anything. The best way to bring a teammate to what you aim for is through your way of being, working, and dedicating yourself. Being able to help him. Throughout my career I always tried to be that player.”

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