During an interview with the Portuguese newspaper A BolaPortugal coach Roberto Martinez announced that March would be decisive for Pepe.
Captain of the Portugal national team for which he gave body and soul since 2007, Pepe has had an even more difficult year in 2023. The victim of numerous physical problems, the 40-year-old defender has only managed to take part in one meeting with the Seleção during the Euro 2024 qualifiers. Meanwhile, other players in his position gained importance during these historic qualifiers.
With Ruben Dias, Antonio Silva, Gonzalo Inacio, Danilo Pereira and Totti Gomez, the Porto player's place is no longer completely guaranteed. In response to a question about the importance of Portugal's next two friendly matches in March (against Sweden and Slovenia), his coach Roberto Martinez was keen to emphasize the decisive nature of this match, recalling the importance of Pepe.
” If he will be decisive for Pepe? Yes. (…) He was unable to be present during four international breaks. But the visit he came (in June) was very positive because he has the experience, the will and the work ethic that is very contagious to others around him. It's very important. But all players are in the same boat. The next 6/7 weeks will be necessary for a rally in March which will be essential. »
