Portuguese defender Pepe has praised the positive impact Cristiano Ronaldo is having on the national team despite the prolific striker being yet to score at Euro 2024.
Ronaldo, who is playing in his record sixth European Championship, has started all three of Portugal's games in Germany.
“Cristiano Ronaldo lives off goals, that's a fact,” Pepe said at Friday's press conference. “But have you seen his availability on the pitch to help the national team? It's incredible. He's the player with the most minutes in our team, at 39 years old.”
Portugal won their first two matches in Germany, but suffered a surprise 2-0 defeat to Georgia in their final group match.
They faced Slovenia on Monday in the round of 16.
“We knew this trip would not be easy, no matter how many of you said it was already won,” Pepe said. “It's not like that and we knew it. We have to play 90 and, if necessary, 120 minutes. We want to give our best for our country and that's what we're going to do in the next match.”
Pepe is confident that Ronaldo will deliver.
Ronaldo, who won the Golden Boot at Euro 2020 after finishing as top scorer with five goals, came into this summer's tournament having scored a Saudi Pro-League record 35 goals for Al Nassr.
He also prepared for Euro 2024 by scoring twice in Portugal's 3-0 win over the Republic of Ireland on June 11 to increase his men's international goal record to 130.
“He's doing very well,” Pepe said of Ronaldo. “He'll do very well in the final phase of the Euros. I'm sure he'll give us a lot of joy.”
Pepe, like Ronaldo, won the Euro Cup in 2016. The veteran defender is the oldest player to compete in a Euro Cup, at 41 years old.
“I am happy to be part of this group, it is a privilege,” said Pepe. “The secret [of his longevity]? The passion I have for football. I have said several times that it is a privilege to be able to get up and do what I like most with a lot of concentration and competitiveness, which is what I have.
“The love I put into every action, both in training and in the game. That's it.”
When asked if he will retire from the national team after Euro 2024, Pepe, who has represented Portugal since 2007, said: “I haven't thought about it yet. My focus is on the next training session, on the next match, which is important for me and for Portugal”.
Pepe will also become a free agent in July after FC Porto confirmed that his contract will not extend beyond this summer.
“I don't think about it much, honestly,” Pepe said. “The future is God's, I have a lot of things to worry about today, like how I'll defend my teammates in the next training sessions, how I'll recover for tomorrow's training session. Those are my worries.”
