Pepe made his international debut for Portugal at the age of 19, in a friendly against France played in Lisbon on 16 March 1927.

The best-known story tells of a tragic mistake made by his mother while preparing a meal on 22 October, two days before his death.

Pépe's mother, who could not read, mistakenly exchanged caustic soda for salt when she made chorizos.

Of note, other relatives who had eaten the meal had also been hospitalized, but survived, and a cat that had consumed the chorizo died.

Thirty thousand people attended to pay their respects to the young star, whose loss shook the Portuguese sports world.

Attendees also came from outside Portugal, including one of the greatest goalies in the history of football, Spaniard Ricardo Zamora.

It is a tradition that whenever FC Porto visits CF Belenenses for a match, the team always leaves a wreath in front of the statue before the game.