Pepe

In a recent interview, Manchester City’s Portuguese full-back João Cancelo, who is currently on loan at FC Barcelona, revealed an intriguing conversation he had with his national team colleague, Pepe. The seasoned defender, who spent a decade at Real Madrid, attempted to persuade Cancelo to join the Spanish giants, but the 28-year-old made it clear that his allegiance lies with Barcelona. “Pepe said that I was a player for Madrid, but I told him that I am a Barça fan,” Cancelo stated, highlighting his unwavering support for the Catalan club.

As Arsenal prepare to face Porto in the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie, all eyes will be on the veteran defender who has etched his name into European folklore – for better or worse. At 40 years old, Pepe is the oldest player ever to grace the prestigious tournament, a testament to his longevity and the fire that still burns within. But the Portuguese international’s career has been a tale of two narratives.