SUMMARY
- Pepe has made his name in the soccer world with numerous titles throughout his career.
- Pepe's birth name was inspired by German astrologer Johannes Kepler and surgeon Charles Louis Alphonse Laveran.
Pepe is a renowned professional soccer player who plays center back for Porto, a team he captains in the Primeira Liga. He was born in Brazil but plays for the Portugal national team. He is regarded by many as one of the finest defenders of his era and has won many accolades in his soccer career.
One of the surprising factors in Pepe’s career is his real name, as many soccer fans know him by his current name rather than his real name. He has played 334 games for Real Madrid and has won two Copa del Rey trophies, three La Liga wins, and three UEFA Champions League titles. Along with that, he has three Taca de Portugal championships with Porto and four Primeira Liga crowns.
99% of football fans don’t know Pepe’s full name pic.twitter.com/RGNarK6Y4o
— Troll Football (@TrollFootball) February 27, 2024
Pepe has been one of the best center-backs of this era, he started with nothing in his career and was often on the bench during his young playing days in 2002-03. Fast-forwarding to 2024 Pepe is one of the legendary players of his generation and has garnered a lot of respect from the soccer community.
Pepe, although born and raised in Brazil, chose to play for Portugal’s national team. Since making his debut in 2007, he has collected 134 caps. He participated in four FIFA World Cups, multiple UEFA European Championships, and the squad that won Euro 2016.
The story behind Pepe’s name
According to LifeBlogger, Pepe’s father, Anael Ferreira, was against giving his kid a typical Brazilian name. Thus, he was inspired by German astrologer Johannes Kepler and surgeon Charles Louis Alphonse Laveran. He gave his son the birth name by choosing a name from each of the two males. Pepe fit the definition of a “mummy’s boy”, compared to his sisters, the athlete was closer to his mother Roseline.
Nobody knows Pepe’s real name
However, recently the soccer community was not familiar with the soccer player’s real name and often thought that “Pepe” was his real name. After finding out that his real name is “Kepler Laveran de Lima Ferreira ComM” many fans put forward their views on social media. One fan wrote on X, “Pepe the animal, that’s what all we know” while another wrote, “I don’t know his full name but I know his game.”
I don’t know his full name but I know his game pic.twitter.com/pgz4Xk6ioQ
— Mohsin (@imsmohsin) February 27, 2024
It is surprising that to this day, 90% of the soccer community is not familiar with Pepe’s real name. Not only that, the name “Pepe” got so famous that people never bothered to find out his real name. Everyone, from players to fans recognizes him by the name “Pepe” itself.
Pepe the animal. Thats what all we know 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/GYlnAKuQ0z
— Aditya (@AdityaDntCare) February 27, 2024
Also, on the contrary, with a late goal in Porto’s 2-0 victory over Royal Antwerp on November 8th, 2023, Pepe became the oldest goal-scorer in the history of the UEFA Champions League. After Chico Conceicao crossed the ball in the first minute of extra time at the Estadio do Dragao, the iconic center-back Pepe created UCL history.