Pepe News

Portugal coach Fernando Santos chose youngster Gonçalo Ramos over the 37-year-old Ronaldo just like in the 6-1 rout of Switzerland in the last 16 where Ramos had scored a hat-trick

Portugal will face Turkey in the World Cup playoff semi-final on Friday, March 25 (IST). Senior defender Pepe will miss the World Cup playoff semi-final on Thursday after testing positive for COVID-19.

Santos said he hoped that Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo, who had a hat trick against Spain, will show the same form against Morocco.

The 34-year-old Brazilian-born defender joined Real from Porto in 2007 for 30 million euros ($34.05 million), winning the Liga title in his first campaign.

Borussia Dortmund's Raphael Guerreiro is also missing for Portugal through injury, but veteran defender Pepe returns after he was suspended for the Chile clash. 

Portugal star returns after coach Zinedine Zidane gave him a rest from last Wednesday`s Copa del Rey match against Sevilla

Ronaldo, Real`s all time top scorer, is poised to sign a four-year contract until 2020 while midfield playmaker Luka Modric is also about to be offered a new deal.

Pepe acknowledged that he only began to think that his national team could win the Euro after the quarter-final victory over Poland.

The nature of Portugal`s team and their fairly passive attacking game means Ronaldo has been less effective than he would normally be with Real.

Real wins game 2-1, despite going down a goal behind and reduced to 10 men.

Spanish giants Real Madrid honoured their record breaking Cristiano Ronaldo with a special awards for becoming club's all-time leading goal scorer in the presence of President Florentino Perez, team-mates and family members on Friday.

Real Madrid boss Rafael Benitez has not included Gareth Bale, James Rodriguez, Sergio Ramos or Pepe in his 20-man squad for the Spanish giants Champions League clash with Malmo on Wednesday.