RIO FERDINAND has revealed exactly what he said to Pepe after the veteran defender’s latest age-defying performance.
The Real Madrid legend put on another stunning display as Porto shut out Arsenal to win 1-0 in the Champions League last night.
RexVeteran Pepe spoke with Rio Ferdinand and Martin Keown after beating Arsenal[/caption]
RexTNT Sports pundit Ferdinand has now revealed exactly what he said to the defender[/caption]
The Gunners were stunned as Brazilian winger Galeno curled home in stoppage time to give Porto the first leg advantage in their last-16 tie.
Following the full-time whistle, the Portuguese side’s supporters were quick to show their appreciation of the effort from their heroes as they applauded them around the field.
However Pepe, who turns 41 next week, spotted two of iconic centre-halves performing punditry duties on the side of the pitch.
The three-time Champions League winner, who spent a decade at Madrid before his departure for Besiktas in 2017, raced over to shake hands and embrace with Ferdinand.
Ex-Arsenal ace Martin Keown, who was working with Ferdinand, then walked forward to shake hands with the veteran, who enjoyed a joke and brief chat with both men.
Afterwards, the ex-Manchester United star told TNT Sports host Laura Woods: “He’s 41 on Monday, it’s ridiculous to think how he’s getting his body through it.
“That’s what I said to him, ‘how are you doing this?’
“And he was like ‘I’m still strong, I’m still confident!’”
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Ferdinand then added: “A lot of it is in the mind at that point.”
Pepe came through the ranks with Martimo in Portugal in the early 2000s before he was snapped up by Porto.
He had a three-year spell there, winning the title twice, prior to his big move to the Bernabeu in 2007.
Pepe, who has 134 caps for Portugal and helped them to Euro 2016 success, returned to the club in 2019.
He has since made over 125 domestic appearances and added another two league championships to his already impressive collection.
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