#4 Pepe
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Pepe or Képler Laveran Lima Ferreira, was born in Marceio, Brazil and spent most of his childhood playing for local team Sport Club Corinthians Alagoanolocal before moving to Portugal at the age of 18. He joined C.S. Maritimo, which is located on the island of Madeira before finally earning a transfer to FC Porto three years later.
Despite being born and brought up in Brazil, Pepe never had the affinity towards his homeland and wanted to play for his adopted nation – Portugal. The 34-year-old’s father has disclosed that the Real Madrid star was contacted by the then Brazil manager Dunga in 2006 regarding a possible call-up to the national team but Pepe declined it as he was waiting to become a Portuguese citizen before joining the Selecao’s national team.
He was granted Portuguese citizenship in August of 2007 and he made his debut for the national side, four months later in a 0-0 draw against Finland. The rest, as they say is history, as the defender played a key role in Portugal’s Euro 2016 triumph.
Pepe’s decision to play for Portugal ahead of Brazil paid dividends as he now has a major international trophy to his name – a feat he might not have achieved with the Brazil national team given that the Pentacampeões have been on a barren run from 2007 until now.
