Besides being long time teammates in the Portuguese national team, Cristiano Ronaldo and Pepe played side by side for eight years at Real Madrid. The defender left the Spanish capital in 2017, and CR7 sealed a sensational transfer to Juventus twelve months later.
Nonetheless, the two men remain close friends, as well as international teammates, and together they have won the biggest trophies on both club and international levels.
Recently, the two veterans went head-to-head when the Bianconeri were drawn against Porto in the Champions League round of 16.
Whilst Ronaldo was expected to lead the Old Lady towards the quarter finals of the European competition, it was Pepe who produced a defensive masterclass to ensure his side’s qualification after a dramatic 4-4 double-encounter.
However, the 38-year-old is hopeful that his friend would rejoin him in the Portuguese league, although he reveals the fact that the latter is currently happy in Turin.
“It would be very nice for the Portuguese league if Ronaldo comes back. I’d like him to return to Portugal,” said Pepe as reported by ilBianconero.
”People criticize him without knowing the effort it takes to score more than 30 goals every season, what he does is absolutely brutal.”
”He is happy in Turin and in the end I hope he can stay there , also because he has another year on his contract, and I also appreciate how he continues to represent Portugal abroad.” concluded the Porto defender.
The five time Ballon d’Or winner is currently leading the Serie A goal-scoring charts with 25 strikes ahead of Inter’s Romelu Lukaku and the rest of the chasing pack.
Nonetheless, Ronaldo’s performances have come under scrutiny at times, especially following the aforementioned Champions League exit at the hands of Porto, which sparked rumors concerning his unhappiness in Italy.