FIFA World Cup 2018: 10 superstars who will not be playing for their country of birth

#3. Pepe

Pepe was born in Brazil and plays for Portugal

Pepe left Brazil before he turned 18 to move to Portuguese club Maritimo and it was with this club that he made his professional debut. After four years with Maritimo, he moved to Porto and started to gain more recognition.

According to his father, he was contacted by Dunga in 2006 to play for Brazil, but he had already made up his mind to play for Portugal once he became naturalized. He cited a lack of recognition in his homeland as a reason behind his decision to play for Portugal.

"I feel a bit like this (lack of recognition), but, I also understand. I left the country just before I turned 18 years and nobody knew me. I had a unique opportunity to come to Madeira and play in the Portuguese league.

"I feel something inside also moves with the person, but I took the option of leaving my country. I was lucky to succeed and be happy."

Pepe’s decision didn’t affect Brazil because they had plenty of terrific defenders to choose from but it turned out to be a huge blessing for a Portugal side that has been deprived of world-class central defenders for many years.

He put in a man of the match performance in the final of Euro 2016 as Portugal went on to lift the cup. Now 35, Pepe has 91 caps for Portugal and will surely be adding to that at the FIFA World Cup.