The Portuguese football player Pepe officially said goodbye today to Real Madrid, his team for the past ten years, with an affectionate letter addressed to his fans that softened the criticism previously directed towards the club and his coach, Zinedine Zidane.
"The day has come... On July 12, 2007, I arrived at Real Madrid with the illusion of a child arriving where he had dreamed every day of his childhood. Today, 10 years later, it is my turn to say goodbye and stop wearing this badge," he began his letter on Instagram.
Pepe highlighted his dedication to the white club. "Every single day that I wore this jersey, I did it with the same excitement. Today, I can only thank all of you who have supported me, who have written this beautiful story with me. Thanks to each and every one of you who have been with me," he continued.
The Portuguese defender defended his bond with Madrid. "I also say goodbye to this city, which has seen my daughters being born and grow up. I feel very happy for what I have achieved, and I will carry your affection in my heart," he explained.
For Pepe, the best thing about the past ten years was "training every day, coexisting with each and every one of the employees of this club."
"Setting foot on the Santiago Bernabeu and feeling your support was always magical. In my heart, I keep your affection, and this feeling of duty fulfilled... Real Madrid and your affection will always be part of my history, of my life. Thank you and goodbye forever!" he concluded.
These words contrasted with the criticism expressed on Monday night on the microphones of "Cadena Cope," where he reproached the club for its lack of interest in renewing his contract and Zidane for his treatment towards him.
"The way Real Madrid has acted has not been correct. Real Madrid did not offer me a two-year contract extension. They only offered me one year. It is clear that I will not continue at Real Madrid. A cycle has ended, and from now on, a new one will begin," said the 34-year-old player.
Being investigated by the Spanish Treasury, Pepe reproached the club for not seeing him "defended in the matter of Hacienda." "They know that I am up to date with everything, have you seen the club defend me? That has bothered me," he argued to the Spanish radio journalists.
Pepe tried to clarify why he did not speak in the previous weeks: "I could have done it earlier, but I wanted to wait to not destabilize the team."
The Portuguese player also did not have kind words for his coach in the last 18 months. "What Zidane has done with Real Madrid is spectacular, but there are things that I do not understand. I did not say goodbye to Zidane because Zidane and Real Madrid knew that I was leaving before I did," he explained.
In this regard, he assured that he preferred "the sincerity of (Rafa) Benitez," Real Madrid's coach until January last year.
"I identify a lot with him, even though he didn't play me at first. Zidane and Benitez are completely different people. I resemble Benitez a lot in his way of working. Some people are enlightened, they can win or lose... But I believe in hard work," he concluded.
With his contract fulfilled at Real Madrid, Pepe will now look for a new destination, and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) is rumored to be the team most interested in signing him.
Check out the letter from the Portuguese defender!
The day has come... On July 12, 2007, I arrived at Real Madrid with the illusion of a child arriving where he had dreamed every day of his childhood. Today, 10 years later, it is my turn to say goodbye and stop wearing this badge. Every single day that I wore this jersey, I did it with the same excitement! Today, I can only thank all of you who have supported me, who have written this beautiful story with me. Thanks to each and every one of you who have been with me. Thanks to all the friends and teammates who I know will remain wherever I go. I also say goodbye to this city, which has seen my daughters being born and grow up. I feel very happy for what I have achieved, and I will carry your affection in my heart! And I say it again... the best thing about these 10 years??? Training every day, coexisting with each and every one of the employees of this club... Setting foot on the Santiago Bernabeu and feeling your support was always magical! In my heart, I keep your affection, and this feeling of duty fulfilled... Real Madrid and your affection will always be part of my history, of my life! Thank you and goodbye forever! Pepe, June 6, 2017.
Posted by Pepe (@official_pepe) on