Pepe (Portugal defender, following the elimination once morest France on penalties): “I’m not going to repeat what I said to Cristiano Ronaldo following the match, but we are very sad. Contrary to what many people think, we are very affected. We are frustrated not to have won this match, to be eliminated from such an important competition, knowing that we had the qualities to go further.
“I gave back everything that Portugal gave me and the best way to do it was on the pitch, doing what I love most, giving joy to the Portuguese.
Today is not the day I’m going to talk regarding my future. I’ll have time to talk regarding it. I’ve already spoken to my teammates. We have to be able to move past this great disappointment, this great sadness that we all feel today (Friday).
I have to thank the Portuguese fans. From the first day, when I was naturalised, I said I would give everything I have. I gave back everything that Portugal gave me and the best way to do it was on the pitch, doing what I like the most, what I value the most, giving joy to the Portuguese. And I think they know it, when I see the ovation they gave me during the Euro. No matter what level I am, I will always do my best for Portugal.”
