FC Porto got off to a good start in 2026 by beating Santa Clara in the Azores (1-0), and Pepê believes that the secret to victory “against a very capable team” was “believing in every play”: “We have to trust and distrust, both our opponents and our teammates, because playing on this field is very difficult and every opportunity counts.”
With the first turn over and a game in which “it was difficult to set the pace,” the Brazilian international stressed the importance of players “being smart” and managing to “control the result”. “We always want more and better, we seek to evolve with each game, and the results speak for themselves. We will continue to work to improve,“ assured the spokesperson for a group within which “there is a lot of camaraderie”.

Believe until the end
“It was a very difficult game against a very capable team, especially playing at home. We expected a complicated game, but we were lucky to score a goal. We have to believe in every play, as the coach tells us. We have to trust and distrust, both in our opponents and in our teammates, because playing on this field is very difficult and every opportunity counts. We were lucky today, and that's good.”

Managing the group and the result
“It’s a very difficult pitch and, in these conditions, it’s hard to impose our rhythm. We know we won’t be able to do that in every game, so we need to be smart, as we were today. The coach gave us some instructions and we managed to control the result.”

Physical problems
“I took a hard blow in a Europa League game and I still feel a slight discomfort today. It's just pain, but I feel fine now and I'll keep working to get it healed."

Record-breaking first half of the season
“It says a lot about what we do on the pitch. There's a lot of camaraderie, we're always together and, regardless of the results, we always want more and better, we try to improve with every game and the results speak for themselves. We'll keep working to improve.”

United dressing room
“We believe strongly in our teammates and in ourselves, and that's fundamental. Games don't always go the way we want, but we always believe, and if we keep doing that, we'll continue to get these results and things will go well.”