Euro final: Portugal boosted by return of Pepe to training

July 09, 2016 18:13 IST

Portugal's central defender Pepe

IMAGE: Portugal's Pepe during a training session in Centre National de Rugby, Marcoussis, on Saturday. Photograph: Regis Devignau Livepic/Reuters

Euro 2016 finalists Portugal received a boost on Saturday when central defender Pepe trained with his teammates and appeared to be free of any injury problems.

The Brazilian-born defender missed the semi-final win over Wales on Wednesday because of a thigh injury and had trained separately on Friday.

But Pepe, 33, took a full part in Saturday's exercises which were witnessed by reporters during the 15 minutes in which training was open to the media and he appeared to be ready to face hosts France in Sunday's final.

Pepe, sent off against Germany in the 2014 World Cup, was outstanding in the centre of the Portugal defence in their first five games at the tournament.

The Portuguese football federation did not comment on his condition.

Get Rediff News in your Inbox:

Source:

© Copyright 2025 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.

More News Coverage

Pepe Portugal Centre National de Rugby Regis Devignau IMAGE