Pepe: Career, Family, Stats and Net Worth
People may remember him the most when he played for Real Madrid. Particularly his partnership with Sergio Ramos in white, including those heat moments during the El Classico. The Portuguese is known for his fierce reputation and hardman image in defense.
Statistically, Pepe is one of the most successful defenders in football, winning titles both for his clubs and country. Alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, he inspired many younger Portuguese generations to live up to their football dream. Something that he always carried throughout his career.
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Pepe: Early life and Beginnings
Not many people know, even some Real Madrid fans, about Pepe’s real name. Képler Laveran de Lima Ferreira. Yes, the Brazilian-born Portuguese national came into this realm with that name on his hospital tag.
Pepe’s footballing journey started with a local club in Brazil called Corinthians Alagoano. At the age of 18, he was contracted by a Madeira-based side Club Sport Maritimo, playing mostly for their B-side in the inaugural season.
Maritimo was Pepe’s first stepping stone into his decorated career. He nearly joined Sporting CP after being granted permission to train with the first team with an option to sign him permanently if the negotiation worked. However, things didn’t work out and Pepe headed back to Maritimo.
Long story short, in 2004, Pepe signed a contract with one of Sporting’s big rivals in Portugal, Porto. A club which people would identify him with, apart from Real Madrid. In his first season at the club, he played mostly as a backup to the likes of Pedro Emanuel, Jorge Costa, and Ricardo Costa.
However, he forced his way into the team the following year and helped them win two consecutive league titles. His performances saw him garner attention from Real Madrid.
Real Madrid
The Spanish giants signed Pepe from FC Porto for a fee of €30 million in 2007. He signed a five-year contract and helped the side win the La Liga title in his first season, putting in excellent performances against the likes of arch-rivals Barcelona.
In the following season, he suffered multiple injury issues. However, his season ended in April after he received a 10-match ban for an incident against Getafe. He received a red card for a foul on Javier Casquero and then he kicked him while he was on the floor and also stamped on him a few times.
He returned in the 2009-10 season but then suffered an ACL injury in a clash against Valencia in December and was ruled out for the remainder of the season. Pepe signed a new contract in the 2010-11 season, extending his stay until 2015. He also played as a defensive midfielder at times that season and was sent off in an El Clasico against Barcelona.
Starting from the 2011-12 season, the Portuguese found a formidable defensive partner in Sergio Ramos and the duo manned Real Madrid’s backline for a long time. He won two more La Liga titles and three UEFA Champions League trophies, among other honors.
Amidst his injury issues and the rise of Raphael Varane, Pepe eventually left Real Madrid in 2017 and joined Besiktas. He spent just over a year with them before leaving as a free agent and returning to FC Porto.
Return to Porto
Pepe returned to Porto in January 2019 and had another excellent spell. He won two league titles, among numerous other trophies.
The Portuguese also broke the record of being the oldest outfield player to feature in a UEFA Champions League game and also the oldest scorer in the competition. He did both at 40 years and 254 days old against Royal Antwerp in December 2023.
He extended the record for the oldest outfield player when he faced Arsenal in the knockout stages in February.
He then announced his retirement on August 8.
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International Career
Pepe chose to represent Portugal despite being born in Brazil. He made his debut for the side in December 2007 in the Euros Qualifiers against Finland. He established himself as a starter and featured in all of their games at Euro 2008.
Pepe featured for Portugal in every competition since then. He was a key figure at the back in their 2016 Euro campaign. He missed the semi-final against Wales due to injury but played every other game. He was named the Man of the Match in the final as they won the trophy.
The former defender was also part of the team that won the UEFA Nations League in 2019, even captaining the side for a few games. His last tournament with Portugal was the 2024 Euros, where they reached the quarter-finals, losing against France in the penalty shootout.
Pepe’s Family
Pepe’s father, Anael Feitosa Perreira was obsessed with science which is the reason why Pepe was named after two famous scientists, Johannes Kepler and Charles Louis Alphonse Laveran. Meanwhile, his mother is Rosilene de Lima and there is not much known about her.
They lived in Maceio, where Pepe grew up as a kid, alongside three sisters Karleane, Katiane, and Kellyane. As the only boy in the family, Pepe is closer to his mother than to his father.
Pepe is married to Ana Sofia Moreira. The couple have two daughters – Angeli Sofi Moreira Ferreira and Emily Moreira Ferreira.
Pepe’s Stats
| Club | Year | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| CS Marítimo | 2001-04 | 62 | 3 | 2 |
| Porto | 2004-07 and 2019-24 | 288 | 17 | 11 |
| Real Madrid | 2007-2017 | 334 | 15 | 20 |
| Besiktas | 2017-2018 | 52 | 7 | 3 |
| Portugal | 2007-2024 | 141 | 8 | 4 |
Honours
Porto
Primeira Liga: 2005-06, 2006-07, 2019-20, 2021-22
Taca de Portugal: 2005-06, 2019-20, 2021-22, 2022-23, 2023-24
Taca da Liga: 2022-23
Supertaca Candido de Oliveira: 2006, 2020, 2022
Intercontinental Cup: 2004
Real Madrid
La Liga: 2007-08, 2011-12, 2016-17
UEFA Champions League: 2013-14, 2015-16, 2016-17
Copa del Rey: 2010-11, 2013-14
Supercopa de Espana: 2008, 2012
UEFA Super Cup: 2014
FIFA Club World Cup: 2014, 2016
Portugal
UEFA European Championships: 2016
UEFA Nations League: 2019
Pepe Net Worth
The former defender has an estimated net worth of around $13 million (via The Sports Lite). His salary at Porto before his retirement was around $3 million per year. He’s made over $52 million in his career.
Pepe is associated with Nike and has also been involved with multiple charities.
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