He's nearly 40, has been a Portugal international for 15 years - and he started off with $5 in his pocket

Who would have thought that the burly defender Pepe would still be playing top-level football in 2022! The 39-year-old has been playing Champions League football and winning trophies for the best part of two decades now - and he shows no signs of stopping. He played for his 126th Portugal appearance on Sunday night as a part of the backline that featured PSG left-back Nuno Mendes, a boy 20 years younger.

But there was a time when even Pepe was a youngster, talented but far from established as a professional. Born in Brazil, he travelled to Portugal to seek a career in football and a better life. His first club in Europe was Maritimo, but those days were anything but glamourous for the young defender.

"When I arrived, I had what are now five euros. I was in the Foreigner's office because I came on my own from Brazil at the age of 18. I was waiting for a long time for people at Maritimo to send a fax that would grant me the right to enter the country. The little money I had was meant for buying a meal, but I used it to call my mother back in Brazil. I needed to tell her I was alive and well. I didn't want her to worry."

21.45: (3.60) Croatia (3.40) France (2.20)

After the phone call had ended, Pepe still had to spend a few more hours in the airport - and he was still hungry. Hungry and broke. He had no choice but to ask an employee of a shop if they had anything to eat. And he got a piece of bread.

"Since then I'm really keen on helping others because it was something which affected me a lot. That person didn't know who I was and I didn't know him either. That gesture helped me for the rest of my life."

Twenty years later, Pepe is a living legend for Portugal and FC Porto. He's still a rock in defence and a top professional. Despite his short temper and reputation as a 'dirty' footballer, he is still very much a role model for young players. Being humble is the key.