Pepe claims Real Madrid were a “graveyard for centre-backs” prior to his arrival, with a man who thrived in Spain now backing Porto team-mate Eder Militao to follow in his footsteps.
The Brazil-born Portugal international made a €30 million (£26m/$34m) switch to Santiago Bernabeu in 2007.
He would spend 10 memorable years in Madrid, taking in over 300 appearances and collecting countless major honours – including three La Liga titles and a hat-trick of Champions League crowns.
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Pepe helped to fill a problematic position for the Blancos, with many having failed before him when completing big-money switches to the Spanish capital.