Pepe:No desire to return to football

Real Madrid centre-back Pepe stole the headlines this week for all the wrong reasons after he went berserk during his side’s pulsating 3-2 win over Getafe on Tuesday night.

Having apologized profusely immediately following the game for his on-field assault on his opponent, Javier Casquero, the Portuguese has now broken his silence after taking some time off to reflect on the incident.

“These are the worst days of my life. I do not have any desire to return to playing football,” he said in an interview with Marca from his home in the Spanish capital.

“I have seen the replays of the incident, but I do not recognize myself. I lost my cool and I went crazy, but that is not me.

“The worst punishment is going through what I’m experiencing now. If I see that there’s no chance of me returning to football again, then I will try something else.”

Pepe is expected to be handed a significant suspension and fine by the league and by his own club, which could effectively end his season and Madrid career - especially if the new administration decides to give him the axe.