Nico Pepe back smiling on international return with Ivory Coast | OneFootball

Nico Pepe’s Villarreal resurgence has earned an Ivory Coast recall and a 79th minute cameo in a 4-0 friendly win over South Korea. El Periódico Mediterráneo notes his upturn has steadily built.

He dazzled for Lille, prompting Arsenal to pay 80 million euros, then left on a free for Trabzonspor in Türkiye. After six goals in 23 games, Villarreal signed him on a two-year deal in August 2024.

He impressed last season and earned an extension to June 2028. He delivered three goals and six assists in 28 LaLiga games, then started this campaign with two goals and one assist in the first three rounds, winning August’s player of the month as Villarreal kept pace with Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Sustaining that level proved difficult, and his Africa Cup of Nations omission caused a stir in his country and at Villarreal. Ivory Coast coach Emerse Faé said squad selection involved many on and off-field factors, a comment seen as hinting at harmony issues.

Pepe then lost rhythm and confidence until a 31 January trip to Osasuna became the turning point, when he won a penalty and supplied an assist for a draw. From there he attacked defenders again and scored in each of the last two league rounds before the break.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo