Switzerland v Portugal

Jun 15 2008 Mark Guidi

PEPE turned his back on his native Brazil eight years ago to move on to Madeira, the home of superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.

The 25-year-old central defender's dream was simply to make a living from football but he has gone on to surpass those expectations.

After years of hard work to impress in the lower reaches of the Portuguese game he ended up with a move to Porto on the recommendation of former boss Jose Mourinho.

Pepe's form there also led to him being granted Portuguese citizenship and he is now a team-mate of Ronaldo at international level as well as a star of Real Madrid following his £21million move.

But despite fame and fortune Pepe remains down to earth. Wealth and publicity are not his motivation - helping Portugal win Euro 2008 is.

He has contributed to Phil Scolari's side having maximum points from their opening two games - he also scored their first goal in the tournament - and they are already through to the quarter-finals.

Scolari's men play their last group match tonight against Switzerland in Basel and Pepe said: "I have only had a handful of games for Portugal but the country is in my heart and I have close feelings for the people.

"To play against Turkey last weekend was a special moment. I was proud and also quite nervous.

"After doing my warm-up I tied my boot laces then thanked God for giving me everything I have.

"Now I really know true happiness exists in the world. That's the way I felt when the national anthem was being played on Saturday night.

"I felt the responsibility of the entire nation was on my shoulders and I had to defend the interests of my country.

"Portugal is special to me because it has given me so many wonderful things in the short time I have been there. This country has given me a career in football, a new passport and a beautiful wife Sofia.

"As a man and as a footballer I couldn't ask for more."

Pepe opened the scoring against the Turks and at full-time immediately made his way into the stands to embrace his wife.

He said: "Sofia is everything to me. I ran to give her a kiss and my jersey.

"She has given up a lot for me and I wanted to show my feelings for her and share the special moment.

"I was also pleased to do well for Portugal. I came into this tournament wanting to give the country something back and I'm on my way to doing that.

"We beat Czech Republic to seal our place in the quarter-final. It is great to do it with a game to spare.

"I do not know what the coach will do against Switzerland. Maybe he will rest a few players, maybe not. I know I'd like to play."

Playmaker Deco, meanwhile, might not be involved this evening but will be a pivotal figure in the last-eight tie.

Like Pepe, the midfielder left Brazil for Portugal after being told by Corinthians he was too feeble to make the grade.

He worked hard to build himself up and won a contract with Benfica, then managed by Graeme Souness, as a 19-year-old before being loaned to Alverca.

However, Souness deemed the player not good enough and he was flogged to Salgueiros before Mourinho spotted Deco's talent and signed him for Porto.

He blossomed into one of Europe's finest midfielders and helped win the UEFA Cup in 2003 and Champions League in 2004.

Mourinho is now keen to lure Deco to Inter Milan but it is likely he will team up with national boss Scolari who takes over at Chelsea after this tournament.

Deco would is desperate to finish the season on a high after a disappointing campaign for Barcelona when he was publicly criticised by Frank Rijkaard and his team-mates for below-par performances.

The 30-year-old said: "Being with Portugal at the Euro Championships has been perfect for me after the season I had at Barcelona.

"Scolari makes me feel wanted.

He is tactically first class and good at making the players feel respected but with the correct discipline.

"It would be perfect to win this tournament for him. We came so close four years ago but lost the final to Greece.

"He could have given up and taken any big job but stayed and gently and subtly corrected a few things.

"We are now doing well and have played well to win our two games here in Switzerland.

"I was also pleased to score against Czech Republic and hope to add more goals.

"The hard work is only just beginning but we have the ability to win this tournament and are ready to take on any side.

"With Ronaldo, Ricardo Carvalho, Jose Bosingwa, Pepe and Nuno Gomes in the team we can do it. "

Deco has 55 caps for Portugal but would have been playing for Brazil had he not been ignored by Scolari.

The coach smiled: "One of my biggest mistakes as Brazil manager was not capping Deco. Now I'm boss of Portugal I'm glad I didn't."