The history of the Portuguese national team in the Euro 2024 finals does not only belong to Cristiano Ronaldo and Francisco Conceicao.
Portugal’s center back, Pepe, also seemed not to want to miss out on making history when he beat the Czech Republic 2-1 in their first match in Group F of Euro 2024. Pepe became the oldest player of all time to have played in the Euro or European Cup finals.
In the match against the Czech Republic, Pepe, who played the full match, was 41 years and 113 days old. Thus, Pepe beat the record for the oldest player in the European Cup which was previously held by Hungarian goalkeeper Gabor Kiraly at the age of 40 years and 86 days at Euro 2016.
Pepe, a Brazilian-born Portuguese defender, started his career with the Portuguese national team when he was 24 in 2007. At that time, Portugal was coached by Brazilian coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, and Pepe was still a mainstay of Real Madrid.
Since 2007 until now, Pepe has successfully completed 138 times with Portugal. While in the European Cup, he has played in 20 matches in five Euro events. That record is only beaten by the current Portuguese national team captain who is slightly younger than him, Cristiano Ronaldo.
Ronaldo (39) has now played in six European Cup finals. He made his debut at Euro 2004, and until now at Euro 2024 in , he is the first and only player to have played in six European Cup finals.
A special record for the man who led Portugal to win the Euro 2016 title.
Pepe and Ronaldo’s personal records could increase again in the Euro 2024 group phase which has two matches left, and if Portugal manages to qualify for the knockout phase to enter the final.
In the match on Tuesday night, Portugal won dramatically 2-1 over the Czech Republic in the Euro 2024 Group E match at the Red Bull Arena, Wednesday (19/6) early morning WIB.
Ronaldo (39) has now played in six European Cup finals. He made his debut at Euro 2004, and at Euro 2024 in he became the first player to play in six European Championship finals.
A special record for the man who led Portugal to the Euro 2016 title.
Both Pepe and Ronaldo’s personal records could increase again in the Euro 2024 group stage with two matches remaining, and if Portugal manages to qualify for the knockout phase to the final.
Image source: timesnownews.com
