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Pepe: I Expect To Play With Ronaldo At Madrid
The Portuguese defender has declared that he expects his international colleague to join him at Real Madrid.
Feb 4, 2009 1:46:32 PM
Real Madrid defender, Pepe, claimed today that he thinks Cristiano Ronaldo will still join the Spanish club, and he expects it to be soon.
Madrid appeared to be close to signing the Manchester United star last summer, but that deal fell through after months of negotiations and rumours.
However, Pepe still believes that his Portugal international team-mate will come and join him in the Spanish capital.
"I expect to be able to play with Cristiano at Madrid some day and I expect it to be soon," he told AS.
"It is he who must decide. He has to choose Madrid, that is for sure, and I think that the Real Madrid executives want him.
"I hope that things go well. Cristiano already clarified his desire to come to Madrid, and it could not be, so we must hope."
Aside from Ronaldo, Pepe also spoke about the current league situation of his side, and was in defiant mood as he claimed that it is not impossible for them to win the title this season.
"The league is not impossible, it is still very possible to win it. I see a lot of hope, Barcelona will slip up for sure, and we have to take advantage of it," he declared.
Next up for Real Madrid and Pepe is a clash with Racing Santander this weekend, and they could be without Arjen Robben, who has the flu.
However, the Portugal defender claimed that they have to win whether or not their Dutch winger is fit to play.
"The situation of Robben is a worry, because we want him to improve as soon as possible, first for the health, and then for the team" he began.
"In the squad of Madrid, there is quality to replace him though, so we must win without or without Robben. There is quality to replace him, me, or any other player, there is a lot.
"He is a player who faces defenders and draws them in, that leaves space for others in front. He is quite important for us."
Indeed, Robben has been one of the most important players for Real Madrid this year, and so good has he played, that Pepe puts him above Lionel Messi.
"Is Robben better than Messi? For me, they are two big players. I have never played with Messi, therefore if I had to choose it would be Robben. It would seem unfair to choose anyone else," he opined.
James Walker-Roberts, Goal.com
Madrid appeared to be close to signing the Manchester United star last summer, but that deal fell through after months of negotiations and rumours.
However, Pepe still believes that his Portugal international team-mate will come and join him in the Spanish capital.
"I expect to be able to play with Cristiano at Madrid some day and I expect it to be soon," he told AS.
"It is he who must decide. He has to choose Madrid, that is for sure, and I think that the Real Madrid executives want him.
"I hope that things go well. Cristiano already clarified his desire to come to Madrid, and it could not be, so we must hope."
Aside from Ronaldo, Pepe also spoke about the current league situation of his side, and was in defiant mood as he claimed that it is not impossible for them to win the title this season.
"The league is not impossible, it is still very possible to win it. I see a lot of hope, Barcelona will slip up for sure, and we have to take advantage of it," he declared.
Next up for Real Madrid and Pepe is a clash with Racing Santander this weekend, and they could be without Arjen Robben, who has the flu.
However, the Portugal defender claimed that they have to win whether or not their Dutch winger is fit to play.
"The situation of Robben is a worry, because we want him to improve as soon as possible, first for the health, and then for the team" he began.
"In the squad of Madrid, there is quality to replace him though, so we must win without or without Robben. There is quality to replace him, me, or any other player, there is a lot.
"He is a player who faces defenders and draws them in, that leaves space for others in front. He is quite important for us."
Indeed, Robben has been one of the most important players for Real Madrid this year, and so good has he played, that Pepe puts him above Lionel Messi.
"Is Robben better than Messi? For me, they are two big players. I have never played with Messi, therefore if I had to choose it would be Robben. It would seem unfair to choose anyone else," he opined.
James Walker-Roberts, Goal.com
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