When an Italian media outlet suddenly broke the news that Real Madrid was going to sell Pepe, no one really took it seriously. Because in everyone's opinion, this was just reheating old news.

Two months before, the Madrid media had hyped this matter, but Mourinho stood up and lashed out at the media, which made the rumor that Real Madrid was going to sell Pepe disappear.

Now this Italian media suddenly inexplicably mentioned this matter, making everyone feel very strange, and at the same time feel that it was meaningless—we are reporting what we've already reported, it's not even warm!

But when Pepe had a controversial foul in a World Cup match, this topic suddenly regained its youth.

It happened like this—in a midfield aerial duel, the Italian midfielder Montolivo jumped up to head the ball. Pepe rushed up from behind, leaped high, and headed the ball away at a height more than half a body higher than Montolivo. But at the same time, his raised knee hit Montolivo's back, knocking him to the ground, leaving him breathless.

The commentators exclaimed, "This is a very bad foul!"

"Pepe, Pepe... he always can't change his impulsive temper?"

"Pepe knocked down Montolivo, this is definitely a foul!"

"I think this is a foul worthy of a straight red card!"

However, the referee ultimately only gave a yellow card and did not send Pepe off with a red card.

Pepe escaped punishment.

Although Pepe was not punished on the field, he was once again pushed to the forefront by the media after the game. Of course, the first shot was fired by the Italian media outlet that had previously reported that Real Madrid might sell Pepe.

They fiercely criticized Pepe's unsportsmanlike behavior, and then began to enthusiastically dig up old accounts, listing how many idiotic things Pepe had done during his time at Real Madrid, telling everyone that the nickname "Wuseng" (Martial Monk) was not undeserved!

But this time they didn't say anything about Real Madrid possibly selling Pepe.

They started it, and then two English media outlets joined in, adding content on the basis of the Italian media that Real Madrid was considering selling Pepe in order to maintain the reputation and image of their club.

"...Real Madrid, as a century-old giant, officially recognized as the best team of the last century, is a noble aristocrat with pure blood. This is a team with flowing white jerseys and elegant demeanor. They are gentle and refined, they are calm and composed, they respect every opponent, and never discuss the referee after the game... The reason why this team was able to win the official recognition as the best club of the last century is not only because they have won six European Champions Cups, nor is it because they are so successful on a competitive level, but because their own temperament and personality charm have impressed fans and opponents all over the world... But now! Such a noble team has been tarnished by one person. There is an indelible stain on Real Madrid's snow-white jersey! This person is Pepe! In the match the day before yesterday, Pepe hit Montolivo with his knee, almost causing the opponent to suffocate. Although he escaped the punishment of the rules, he has been criticized and spurned by the media and fans all over the world! And this is definitely not the first time Pepe has been so violent and dirty! At Real Madrid, he has repeatedly made rude and barbaric fouls and defenses... causing great controversy and damaging Real Madrid's reputation... I think it is time to regain Real Madrid's glory and dignity. Real Madrid's reputation and image must be maintained! It is said that Real Madrid's top management is planning to sell Pepe, and I must say that this is the right decision!"

"Perhaps Mourinho will not agree with this approach, but Pepe is not the only excellent central defender. With Real Madrid's appeal, can't they find a more outstanding central defender to join?"

What these media outlets said can actually be described in one sentence: "Real Madrid plans to clean house!"

This was the title of a sports news article on a certain Chinese website.

The British media liked to join in the fun the most. At first there were only two, and then more and more media outlets appeared to discuss this topic. Soon the fire burned to Spain, to Madrid.

The whole of Spain began to discuss this topic.

Among them, the Catalan media shouted the loudest and participated with the greatest enthusiasm.

Because this was a great opportunity for them to attack their opponents.

In fact, demonizing Pepe has always been something that the Catalan media has been committed to doing. Constantly publicizing that Pepe is a barbarian with a devil in his heart, an animal without sportsmanship, and a clown who makes dirty moves when defending... After a long period of publicity, many people believe that Pepe is really such a person.

Just talking about Pepe's knee to Montolivo foul, many players have actually had similar fouls, as long as they are not unintentional. There are also defenders whose fouls are more egregious than this, but I haven't heard of many media outlets constantly hyping them up as "butchers" or "martial monks."

Moreover, if big defensive moves are considered barbaric, then it is estimated that half of the defenders would have to be classified into the "barbarian" group.

The Catalan media's blackening of Pepe is just to attack Real Madrid. In fact, they also know very well that Pepe's defensive ability is indeed world-class. There are not many people who can defend Messi one-on-one, and Pepe is one of them. Although his movements are large, it is precisely because of this that he successfully defended Messi. As long as the referee does not call a foul and does not send him off with a red card, it is a successful defense.

If Real Madrid loses such a defender, Messi is equal to losing a Damocles sword hanging over his head.

Who is most willing to see Real Madrid's strength damaged? Naturally, it is Barcelona.

Pepe is currently the most stable and reliable central defender in Real Madrid's lineup. No wonder Mourinho likes and trusts him so much.

But now Pepe is facing a crisis.

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The media hyped it up more and more, and some people even used magnifying glasses to re-watch the group match between Portugal and Italy, staring at Pepe's every move, looking for evidence that he was a "barbarian." In the eyes of these people, even if Pepe just made a tackle, it was "aimed at the person." When jumping for a header and normally raising his arms—which all players in the world do—in their eyes it became "suspected elbowing." When defending, using his body and speed to reasonably collide, they felt that this was a "collision foul"...

In short, if you want to find fault, you can definitely find it. Even if there isn't one, they will throw a few down first, and then announce that they have found bones in the egg.

As the saying goes, "three men make a tiger," the power of public opinion is strong. People who originally didn't believe it couldn't help but believe it slowly because everyone was saying it.

Poor Pepe, at this time Portugal was struggling to qualify from the group of death, and had no time to pay attention to these things. Moreover, in order to protect Pepe, the team did not allow him to attend press conferences and did not answer questions about his foul and other extensions.

But in this way, Pepe lost the opportunity to defend himself. He could only let the outside voices continue to denounce him as a "butcher" and a "martial monk"...

Information exchange in modern society is very fast. Although Pepe was not allowed to participate in Portugal's press conferences and was not allowed to answer questions about this, he could still learn about it through many channels. He knew how the media criticized him, he knew the whole progress of the matter, but he couldn't say anything, he could only hold it in his heart, which made him very uncomfortable and angry.

People all have emotions. If you have emotions, you have to vent them. If you don't let him vent, he will get angry and develop problems.

So you can imagine how bad Pepe's mood is now.

In addition, he learned from these reports something that made him very annoyed, and his mood became even worse—the management of Real Madrid Club remained silent in this matter, and no one stood up to speak for him. And he was their player, their main central defender, but they did not defend him or maintain him.

This made Pepe feel cold.

He also thought of the criticism and scolding in the media after the Champions League quarter-final last season, because his slip led to Chen Yingxiong scoring a goal. Similarly, no one stood up to speak, and in the end it was Mourinho who came out to defend him.

In fact, at that time, he had the idea of leaving the team.

Although he used to firmly say that he would stay at Real Madrid until he retired, and that his heart belonged to Real Madrid.

He once pointed to the Real Madrid team emblem on his chest at the Nou Camp to prove his loyalty.

Now his feelings for the team have not changed, but he feels cold about the club's actions.

He felt that he was not valued by the club, and it seemed that in the eyes of those high-level managers of the club, he was a dispensable person.

This hurt Pepe a lot.

Every time those media called him a "butcher" or a villain, he felt very aggrieved, but he couldn't complain publicly, which would cause trouble for the team.

So he can only hold it in his heart.

Once or twice is okay, but what about more? The media's criticism of him has not been for a day or two. So many accumulated aggrieved emotions eventually turned into a terrifying force...

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Mendes was also following the media's bombardment of Pepe.

Naturally, he also noticed that in the overwhelming wave of criticism, not a single Real Madrid official stood up to defend Pepe.

He suddenly realized that something was wrong.

On the morning of the third day of the Pepe incident, Mendes in Brazil received a call from Niang.

"Mr. Mendes, can we talk about Pepe's transfer now?"