In the dictionary, a friendly in sport is described as “a game or match that does not form part of a serious competition“.
But Portugal defender Pepe does not know the meaning of a friendly fixture and he proved it last night.
The 38-year-old played for Porto against Roma in a 1-1 draw at Camp Bela Vista and of course when a brawl started in the second half, he was the one responsible.
The former Real Madrid man went in forcefully on Henrikh Mkhitaryan and caught him in the face with a flailing arm.
🐺❤️“La forza del lupo è il branco”💛🐺 #laromadeiromanisti #AsRoma #FCPorto #rissa #Mkhitaryan #Pepe pic.twitter.com/xMB9AeqeTL
— LaRomaDeiRomanisti (@roma_dei) July 29, 2021
Pepe doing Pepe things, brutal challenge on Mikhi #PortoRoma #AsRoma pic.twitter.com/0BmHJq1Nom
— Scot Munroe (@scot_munroe) July 28, 2021
The Armenian rolled on the floor for a brief moment but then the red mist descended and he reacted angrily. It looked like Mkhitaryan tried to kick out at Pepe before he jumped up and continued to lose the plot.
Just as he did though, the referee ran in and was joined by both sets of players and members of coaching teams. There was plenty of pushing and shoving, although some did try and make peace.
An individual from the Roma bench held a furious Mkhitaryan back, though the ex Manchester United and Arsenal man did receive a yellow card.
Incredibly, Pepe managed to escape a yellow card and continues to be an absolute master of the dark arts.
Pepe bang in the middle of pre-season fights at the age of 38 😠
Never change 😂 pic.twitter.com/Ly6ID1eEDK
— Goal (@goal) July 28, 2021
Roma were 1-0 up at the time through Gianluca Mancini but Vito Ferreira popped up a minute from time to ensure the ‘Jose Mourinho derby’ (unofficial name) ended in a draw.