Pepe (footballer, born 1983)

Pepe

Pepe with Real Madrid in November 2015
Personal information
Full name	Képler Laveran Lima Ferreira
Date of birth	(1983-02-26) 26 February 1983 (age 34)
Place of birth	Maceió, Brazil
Height	1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
Playing position	Centre back
Club information
Current team	Real Madrid
Number	3
Youth career
1995–2001	Corinthians-AL
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2001–2002	Marítimo B	14	(1)
2002–2004	Marítimo	63	(3)
2004–2007	Porto	64	(6)
2007–	Real Madrid	226	(12)
National team‡
2007–	Portugal	78	(4)
Honours Representing Portugal European Championship Winner 2016 2012
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 21:49, 26 February 2017 (UTC). ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 1 September 2016

Képler Laveran Lima Ferreira, ComM (born 26 February 1983), commonly known as Pepe (Brazilian Portuguese: [ˈpɛpi]), is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays for Spanish club Real Madrid and the Portuguese national team as a central defender. During his professional career he has played for Marítimo, Porto and Real Madrid, with individual and team success with the latter two clubs. A physically strong and tenacious defender, he is known for his aggressive challenges and for his violent behaviour on the pitch.

Born and raised in Brazil, Pepe has represented Portugal over 70 times, playing at two World Cups and three European Championships, and was a member of the team that won UEFA Euro 2016, also reaching the semi-final of UEFA Euro 2012.

Born in Maceió, Alagoas, Pepe started playing football with local Sport Club Corinthians Alagoano. At the age of 18, alongside teammate Ezequias, he moved to Portugal and signed with C.S. Marítimo on the island of Madeira, spending the vast majority of his first season with the B-team.

After being promoted to the main squad for the 2002–03 season, under Russian manager Anatoliy Byshovets, Pepe rarely missed a game, playing in several positions including defensive midfielder.