The Astonishing 40-Year-Old: PEPE's Unbelievable Performance on the Field at 40

Pepe has renewed his contract, and despite having weathered numerous storms in his career, he candidly admitted to being nervous during the signing. However, this should not be misconstrued as a sentimental reward from Porto. This season, even though Pepe has only made 28 appearances due to injuries, his impact on the defensive line has not diminished. A prime example came just before his renewal in Porto's match against Ferreira in the Portuguese league, where he staged a crazy half-field chase and interception, showing no signs of being held back by age. No wonder Porto's official website exclaimed after the match, "He's 40 years old?"

Pepe's veteran aura has been evident to all. He has lifted the Portuguese league title, been crowned the best domestic player, and last season formed the best central defensive partnership with a younger teammate. Even though Porto's Champions League journey has repeatedly been marred by setbacks, Pepe's personal heroics have not been discounted. Two years ago, his incredible 18 clearances in a match led to the elimination of Cristiano Ronaldo's Juventus.

A combination of a scientific diet and disciplined training is Pepe's secret weapon. In recent years, he has been obsessed with cryotherapy for muscle recovery, sharing some similarities with Cristiano Ronaldo in maintaining his youthfulness. It's no wonder that Porto's president has praised Pepe as a role model for everyone.

He has repeatedly claimed to have 100% confidence in his body. However, pouring his passion into the club is not to distract from any negative emotions. As he said, "Only those who come to Porto know the values that this place instills in people." In the past, he has been accustomed to supporting Cristiano Ronaldo in the Portuguese national team. At Porto, the top scorer is the relatively lesser-known Iranian Taremi. Despite the apparent gap, Pepe believes that staying true to his faith can embellish Porto's beauty: "I always treat every game as if it were my last. If I improve, my teammates will become stronger with me."