Portugal defender Pepe has hit back at the criticism directed at Cristiano Ronaldo, who is yet to score at the 2024 European Championship.
Roberto Martinez's charges advanced to the round of 16 as group winners after winning two of their three matches.
Ronaldo, however, was unable to find the back of the net in any of the encounters and came in for some criticism after the loss to Georgia on Wednesday.
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Despite not getting on the scoresheet, Pepe feels his former Real Madrid star adds more than just goals to the national side.
"Cristiano lives of goals, that's a fact," Pepe said, as per ESPN.
"But have you seen his availability on the pitch to help the national team? It's incredible. He's the player with the most minutes in our team, at 39 years old.
"He's doing very well. He'll do very well in the final stages of the European Championship."
I'm certain he will give us a lot of joy."
Pepe now holds the record for being the oldest player to feature at a European Championship at the age of 41.
"I'm just happy to be part of this group, it's a privilege," Pepe said. "The secret [of his longevity]? The passion I have for football. I've said several times that it's a privilege to be able to get up and do what I love most with a lot of concentration and competitiveness, which is what I have.
"The love I put into every action, so much in training as in the game. That's it."