(Pic Credit: Imtiaz Shaikh/Toi) Real Madrid & Portuguese Great Cher Memories of the Battle of the Guardiola-Mourinho era era
Mumbai: One did not count, but at a Saturday press conference here before the “legends”, Pepe broke into a wide -eyed smile. It was straightforward that it was certainly a part of the cult Portuguese center Back Lionel Messi or Neymar could not meet on the football field whenever Real Madrid and Barcelona fought it.
The player famous for his defensive toughness and fiery personality, who often attracted him to prickly situations during the matches, is Pepa a key figure, not only in the history of Real Madrid, but one who played in the era where the well -known Rivalry El Clasico culminated. Think about 2010 to 2012, when Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid and Pepe resorted to every tactic, every trick in the book, in an effort to overthrow the majestic Barcelona Pep Guardiola.
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Now he is a 42 -year -old defender who ended his game career less than a year ago, in the city and eager to give Indian football fans the taste of the rivalry. At the Sunday stadium Dy Patil, Pepe will be part of the Legend Real Madrid, who will take his Barcelona counterparts in the game that will witness several former stars of two Giants Lalig. It is not only about re -re -struts of old rivalry, but also some old old memories!
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Who do you think he was a more demanding player against whom he defended himself, based on Pepe’s perspective?
“Every individual classico between Real Madrid and Barcelona, which I played, was very strange and I was given the opportunity to enjoy some of them,” Pepe said through the translator on the eve of the exhibition game. “When there were Mourinho and Guardiola, things were a little warm from both sides.
PEPE (Pic Credit: Imtiaz Shaikh/Toi)
“There were struggles between clubs, coaches, between players, between Messi and Cristian (Ronaldo), but these years were incredible years for Spanish football. I saw them from the inside and they were amazing games, both for fans and players,” he added.
After playing with Ronald in Madrid for eight seasons, as well as with the Portuguese national team, Pepe also had the opportunity to go against his compatriot, after both players left Madrid. Did it force the reporter to ask who he considered more difficult to defend against, Messi or Ronaldo? A smile came! “If I had to choose, I would say Cristiano, because it is someone who gave a lot of football, especially his passion and his efforts.
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“I have also trained with him for a long time, so I know him and he was my teammate, so I know what training he is with him. He is a player who gave a lot Real Madrid, Manchester United, Juventus and the Portuguese national team, so he worked really hard,” said Pepe, threefold champions winner.
He also participated in the 2002 World Cup winner by Edmilson, the former star of Barcelona was asked to compare El Clasico with a passionate South American derby with Brazil and Argentina. “Today, the rivalry between Barca-Madrid is a little higher,” Brazilian said, offering a critical explanation. “I think players play better in Real Madrid or in Barcelona than in their national team.”
For Javier Savioly, a small former striker of Argentina, who is part of an important group of players to experience El Clasico both in Barcelona and Real Madrid colors, there is no comparison. “There are some countries with large football traditions such as Brazil and Argentina. However, there is nothing in the world compared to Barca against Madrid.”
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