Pepe’s time with Porto is coming to an end, as announced by the club’s new president, André Villas-Boas. The 41-year-old center-back’s contract is set to expire this month, and he will not be signing a new one. Villas-Boas mentioned that this decision was made for reasons that could not be avoided and expressed the club’s deep respect for Pepe’s career.
Pepe first played for Porto from 2004 to 2007 before moving on to Real Madrid. He made a comeback to Porto in 2019 and has since been a pivotal player and even took on the role of captain. Throughout his nine seasons with the club, Pepe has secured four league titles and five Portuguese Cups, highlighting his significant contributions to Porto’s success.
Currently, Pepe is in Germany representing the Portuguese national team at the European Championship for the fifth time. His contract renewal had been a topic of discussion among Porto’s new board of directors, led by sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta. The club’s upcoming coach, Vítor Bruno, referred to the renewal process as “complex.”
André Villas-Boas assumed his role as president in May after winning the club’s elections against former president Jorge Nuno Pinto da Costa. Before the elections, Pinto da Costa had suggested that Pepe and coach Sérgio Conceição’s positions would be secure if he were re-elected.
As Pepe’s time at Porto draws to a close, fans are left wondering about the future of the club without the experienced defender. It remains to be seen what new opportunities and challenges lie ahead for both Pepe and Porto as they navigate this transition period.
