Real Madrid’s tough-tackling defender, Pepe has revealed that former Atletico Madrid and current Chelsea striker Diego Costa was the toughest opponent he has ever faced. The Portuguese centre-back also disclosed that he considered Real Madrid defensive legend Fernando Hierro to be his footballling idol growing up, with a soft sport for Roberto Carlos as well.
Pepe made the revelations in an interview with Sky Sports, revealing that Costa’s competitive nature makes him the toughest striking challenge he has ever come up against, saying “Without doubt Diego Costa. He's a striker who really battles and loves getting stuck in.”
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“I don't like to lose a 50/50, in the same way a striker doesn't like missing chances.”
Pepe and Costa shared many a titanic battle when the naturalized Spaniard lined up for Atletico Madrid as Diego Simeone’s side went toe-to-toe with Real Madrid. The Portuguese centre-back shared similar traits with Costa, never shying away from a confrontation, and walking a tightrope between being committed and getting sent off, although Costa’s disciplinary record wasn’t too bad at Atletico.
Costa last played against Real Madrid in the 2013/14 UEFA Champions League, but Pepe was not on the pitch to contest him, starting the game on the bench. It’s a scenario that has come to become familiar to the 33 year old, as Zinedine Zidane has preferred having Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane in the centre of his defence.
Pepe idolized Hierro and Roberto Carlos
Pepe has played 9 seasons in Real Madrid, and while he is viewed as error-prone by much of the Santiago Bernabeu faithful, the Portuguese centre-back still holds fond memories for Real Madrid fans, and is well on his way to writing his name into Los Galacticos’ history books.
However, it’s two defenders who have firmly written their names in Real Madrid’s history books who had inspired Pepe to become a footballer while he was a child, with the Portuguese centre-back saying “I really liked Fernando Hierro. Roberto Carlos too, but as a centre-back, it was always about Fernando Hierro.”
It’s the opposite end of the pitch where Real Madrid have problems, with Zinezine Zidane's side bereft of Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema missing the game against Real Sociedad through injury. Gareth Bale scored late on to spare Los Blancos the blushes, though Pepe will be hoping to make a contribution late in the season as Real Madrid chase La Liga and the Champions League trophies.
