PEPE SET TO LEAVE REAL MADRID

Pepe is leaving Real Madrid following 10 years at the Spanish club, having chosen in January to move on.

 Real Madrid Defender Pepe Set To Leave Club After 10 Years At Bernabeu

The 34-year-old, who was born in Brazil yet plays for Portugal, has been connected with Paris St-Germain and AC Milan and has  “had proposals from England”.

Pepe has played 334 matches for Real, winning three La Liga titles and three Champions League trophies.

He missed Saturday's win over Juventus and included: “I didn’t say goodbye because they knew before I did.”


Pepe announced his departure in a meeting with radio station COPE, and said he had not addressed coach Zinedine Zidane since Madrid's Champions League win in Cardiff.

“What he has done for Real Madrid is spectacular, but there are things I still do not understand,” Pepe said.

The defender, who was injured for some portion of the season with a hamstring issue and afterward broke his two ribs in April, fell behind both Raphael Varane and Nacho in the test to play beside captain Sergio Ramos in the Madrid defence.

“I’ve had years of great pride in which I have given my body and soul,” he said. “But I took the decision in January when it was clear which way it was going.

“I’m happy for the love of the people, and that’s worth more than everything.”