UEFA released video footage of what Ronaldo told Pepe during the recent Champions League match between Juventus and Porto.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Pepe met as opponents recently for the first time since a Primeira Liga match between Sporting CP and Marítimo on April 2003 – almost 18 years ago.
The two long-time friends have played 324 games alongside each other for the Portuguese national team and Real Madrid. They’ve shared 228 victories, won countless club and international trophies, and made history together.
For over 210 minutes, however, the duo had to put their friendship aside and face each other as foes in a Champions League last-16 tie.
As we now know, it was Porto, not Ronaldo and Juventus, who won the clash on an away goal ruling after finishing 4-4 on aggregate.
Pepe vs Juventus (A) pic.twitter.com/iVBdFiRjeK
— . (@ROSSZlZ0U) March 10, 2021
In fact, Pepe rolled back the years with a heroic display in the second leg to keep Juventus at bay. The 38-year-old, regarded as one of the finest center-backs of the last decade, was flawless and rightfully won praise as Ronaldo was kept silent in Turin.
Now, in a video shared by UEFA from behind the goal, Cristiano’s words to Pepe during the match have been revealed.
“Play it! I’m going to win,” Ronaldo told Pepe.
“I’m going to win and it’ll be with you on the pitch.”
UEFA captioned the post with “Cristiano Ronaldo always wants to test himself against the best.”
Pepe and Porto will next face Chelsea in the Champions League quarter-finals.
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