Pepe (foto: uradna spletna stran kluba)
Porto’s Brazilian winger Pepe halted a promising attack out of respect for an injured Estoril defender, earning praise for his sportsmanship in a 4-0 win.
Pepe, Porto’s Brazilian winger, made headlines in the Portuguese league match against Estoril with a remarkable gesture of sportsmanship. With the legendary defender Pepe recently retired, Porto seems to have found a namesake who shares a similar sense of integrity and character on the field.
During the game, Estoril’s defender Pedro Amaral suffered an injury mid-play, leaving him unable to continue his defensive duties as Porto launched a counterattack. With a clear path to extend Porto’s lead to 2-0, the 27-year-old Pepe opted to stop the play, kicking the ball out of bounds rather than taking advantage of Amaral’s condition.
The crowd at Estádio do Dragão responded with a loud ovation, and players from both teams showed their appreciation for Pepe's sportsmanship. Porto went on to comfortably win the match 4-0, maintaining their three-point gap behind league leaders Sporting.