After 10 years at the Bernabéu, Real Madrid star Pepe has confirmed he is leaving the club- but not before aiming a parting shot at manager Zinedine Zidane.
Real Madrid star Pepe who formed a formidable defense with Sergio Ramos has confirmed that he’ll will be taking the exit door out of Santiago Bernabéu.
Pepe told Spanish radio station Cope: ‘I don’t want to blame anyone. What Zidane has done with Real Madrid is spectacular, but there are things I don’t understand.
‘I didn’t say goodbye to Zidane because Zidane and Real Madrid knew I was going before I did.’
The Portuguese international, revealed he has offers from clubs in England while Paris Saint-Germain have also shown interest in him.
‘It is clear that I will not continue at Real Madrid,’ he confirmed, with his contract set to expire this summer.
‘One stage is over and, from now on, another one will start.
The 34 year old veteran defender won three La Ligas, three Champions Leagues, two Copa del Reys and two Club World Cups with the Spanish giants.
Real Madrid have confirmed that defender Pepe, who scored in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid, has broken two of his ribs.
The Portugal international scored his side’s only goal of the game with a header, before Antoine Griezmann equalised late on.
But, after a nasty collision with Toni Kroos, he struggled to continue, and was eventually forced off in the 67th minute with Nacho replacing him.
After undergoing medical tests, Madrid later confirmed a double rib break.
“After the examinations carried out today on Pepe at the Sanitas La Moraleja University Hospital, he has been diagnosed with fractures in seventh and eighth ribs on the left side,” a statement from the club explained.
The Portugal defender sustained a rib injury two years ago and missed just over a month. However, those were bruised ribs, rather than broken, so he likely faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Even if he recovers as quickly as he did in 2015, that would still leave the centre-back unavailable for the Clasico against Barcelona on April 23 and puts the remainder of his season in doubt.
His contract contract expires June 30, so it is possible Pepe may have played his last game for los Blancos.