"I'll wait until the last millisecond for a new contract with Madrid"
The centre-back was a special guests on Cadena SER radio programme ‘El Larguero’ on Monday night: "I'd love to end my playing days at Real Madrid”.
Pepe was a special guest on Cadena SER radio programme El Larguero on Monday night. The big question concerned the defender's future at Real Madrid with his contract due to expire in June next year.
Pepe interview
Retiring from international football: “No, I still feel able to defend Portugal's shirt. That responsability is what makes us work hard every day”.
Champions League: “It's special. Our people are excited and so are we. It's going to be really nice”.
Contract: “I've got this season and I am happy. I'm a very positive guy, I try to do things right so that good things happen. If I can give my best, the club will see that and hopefully one day they will call me to sort this issue out”.
Goal against Osasuna: “My wife sent me the video. I'm happy to have helped the team. We needed to change our mindset in that game, it wa a 4pm kick-off, and it was very hot out there. Osasuna play a very tough, competitive style of football. They came to the Bernabéu with maximum determination, and extra motivation at playing against Madrid”.
Real Madrid coaches
Zidane and Mourinho: “They're different, almost opposites really. One's a good guy, the other one's the bad guy... (laughs) Mourinho has a lot of experience as a coach, he's coached some of the best players around. Zidane only started last season, so you can't really compare their experience. But Zidane was a player and he knows what players need, he knows our way of thinking. Not signing anyone this summer was a vote of confidence for the squad”.
Cristiano's comments about Xavi: “For me, Cristiano is the best because I know him, he's proved it since he's been here and he always scores goals; he helps us and his national team...”
Does Cristiano get annoyed when anyone mentions Messi? “No. He's got sufficient experience to let that go. There are ways of putting things, when Xavi said what he said, he forgot that there are lots of people in Portugal who love him, people in China... I don't agree with him but I respect his opinion. Cristiano has a lot of followers”.
It's not normal to have a contract up in the air: “I've got a lot of experience, and I'm not going to let my heart get in the way, I think more when I speak to referees. Since the first day I have fought to win my place and I've been in this game for 10 years. People value what I do and I am as enthusiatic in my job as I was on my first day”.
Pepe's plans
Will you retire at Madrid? “Yes, I'd love to”.
Would you accept a year's extension?” Yes, I'd accept that no problem. I'm happy at Madrid, my daughter studies here... for Madrid, with me, it's easy”.
More mature Pepe: “I can't remember my last red card (five years ago). My Mum and my family really suffer when I get criticized. It wasn't fair on them. In a 50:50 ball, the defender always has to win. I went for the ball but didn't stop... I went in hard. I had bad luck in that game against Getafe, I don't know what happened to me that night, maybe it was the pressure. I recognize my mistake but people didn't accept it or understand it. With age, you begin to judge these things better and rectify all of the bad things”.
Did you speak to Casquero? “That was quite tough for me. When I stepped out of the stadium I realizedhow bad I had been - niot just for the public but also for the kids who might have been watching. When I got to the changing room my wife was calling me, she asked me what had I done... I said sorry publicly and later one of the press department put me in touch with Casquero, I don't know if he accepted my apology or not...”
