The return, almost 12 years later. Pepe signed for FC Porto until June 30, 2021, after leaving Besiktas (Turkey). The European champions, for both clubs (Real Madrid) and national squads (Portugal), promised to honour the blue and white shirt and fight for a place in the team, which he sees as family.

A return full of emotions
“I am truly moved. For me, it’s a privilege to wear the FC Porto jersey again. This is a club that gave me everything, that launched me to world football, and my family and I are pleased to return. I will give my best, like I always did for this club, and honour this shirt, which means a lot to me. I returned home, to the club that helped me grow, as a player and a man. I am very grateful to FC Porto, for all they gave me, and I’m a player renowned right now for all the years I played here.”

The blue and white culture
“I was welcomed, just like I was in the first I signed. FC Porto is a family. This culture hasn’t changed since I left and that makes me happy. FC Porto is still a very special club.”

Competitiveness and a promise
“I was clear with the chairman and the coach that I was joining to fight for a spot in the team. I want to be a part of this family, of this amazing group, and give my contribution with my work. What I can promise is that I will do my best to honour the blue and white shirt.

The meaning of the number
“I’m choosing the number 33. I like the number three, I used it for many years at FC Porto, and I also used it in Real Madrid. The three is in the right hands with Éder Militão, so I’m keeping the number 33.