Disgraced Pepe pondering retirement
Real Madrid defender Pepe has revealed he is considering retiring from football following his moment of madness against Getafe on Tuesday night. The Portuguese international defender conceded a penalty for an alleged foul on Francisco Casquero, but then reacted horrifically, kicking Casquero - who was lying on the floor - twice before raking his boots down his back and then punching Casquero's Getafe team-mate Albin in the face. The 26-year-old now faces a lengthy suspension following his embarrassing conduct - rumoured to be a six game ban ruling him out of El Clasico with Barcelona at the Bernabeu. And the former Porto star has admitted he is thinking of quitting football altogether if he can no longer find the energy to bounce back from this setback.
“These are the worst days of my life," he told Marca. "I watched replays and did not recognise myself. It was not me. I went crazy, lost the control for a few minutes.
“The worst moment is what I am living right now. I do not want to play football again and, if I see that I cannot play football anymore, I will dedicate my life to something else.”
NEWS: Pepe facing lengthy ban
NEWS: Ramos defends Pepe over kicking incident
REAL MADRID FANS! Check FourFourTwo.com’s ever-expandinginterviewssection for more stuff to read:
Q&A Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Raul, Robinho, Fabio Cannavaro, Fabio Capello, Samuel Eto'o
One on One Michael Owen, Ronaldo, Nicolas Anelka, David Beckham
Web Exclusives Guus Hiddink
And Another Thing Best league in the world?
Sing When You’re Winning Rafael Nadal
My Secret Vice Michel Salgado
Perfect XI Gheorghe Hagi
Plus! Rate Real players (and others) on Talentspotter
Get FourFourTwo Newsletter
The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.
Gregg Davies is the Chief Sub Editor of FourFourTwo magazine, joining the team in January 2008 and spending seven years working on the website. He supports non-league behemoths Hereford and commentates on Bulls matches for Radio Hereford FC. His passions include chocolate hobnobs and attempting to shoehorn Ronnie Radford into any office conversation.