LONDON, United Kingdom, March 12 – Arsenal’s forwards will have their work cut out when they take on Porto in the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Tuesday.
Participating in the competition for the first time since 2017, Mikel Arteta’s team face a club who won it back in 2004 – and lead the Gunners 1-0 after the first leg.
But Porto have a defender who has lifted the trophy three times – Pepe.
While the 40-year-old Portugal international is highly decorated, he has also had plenty of controversial moments.
Pepe was a key pillar in the dominant Real Madrid team who won the Champions League in 2014, 2016 and 2017, and became the oldest-ever player in the competition when he featured for Porto against Antwerp in November 2023.
But the centre-back also has 17 career red cards – plus another 212 yellows…
Red card – Sporting v Porto (2023)
Pepe hasn’t mellowed with age.
The 40-year-old was dismissed in the 51st minute of Porto’s 2-0 loss at Sporting in December 2023, for hitting Matheus Reis with his arm.
Starting a brawl – Porto v Roma (2021)
In a pre-season friendly, Pepe slammed into Roma midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
The Armenian’s team-mates were not happy with the Portugal defender, but he escaped any punishment from the referee.
Going down easy – Portugal v Morocco (2018)
Portugal met Morocco in the group stage of the 2018 World Cup, and Pepe drew attention for a different aspect of his game.
Morocco’s Mehdi Benatia patted the centre-back on the back as the teams got set for a goal-kick, which caused Pepe to fling himself to the ground in an attempt to convince the referee that something more sinister had occurred.
Neither defender was sanctioned for the incident, which former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand described as embarrassing.
Red card – Germany v Portugal (2014)
Four years before, there was no escape as the volatile defender was sent off against Germany.
Already 2-0 down to the side who would lift the trophy, Pepe got close to Thomas Muller and the Bayern Munich forward went down.
Not happy with how Muller tumbled, Pepe confronted him and was ultimately dismissed for nudging the German with his forehead.
Stamping on Messi’s hand – Real Madrid v Barcelona (2012)
In the 2012 El Clasico, Barcelona’s Lionel Messi breezed past a couple of Real Madrid defenders and was knocked to the deck by Jose Callejon.
As he approached the referee, Pepe planted his foot on the Argentina icon’s hand.
He claimed his actions were “unintentional” after the match.
Red card – Real Madrid v Getafe (2009)
In 2009, when Real Madrid were drawing 2-2 with Getafe at the Bernabeu, the visitors’ forward Javi Casquero broke into the box.
Pepe nudged him over and, with Casquero lying on his front, proceeded to kick his opponent twice before lashing out at other Getafe players.
The Portugal international was sent off and received a 10-match ban for his actions.
