Pepe Highlights Neymar's Disciplinary Record in Defence of His Own Conduct

Real Madrid centre-back Pepe has rejected the idea that he is a violent player and noted that Barcelona's Neymar has been booked more times than him in La Liga this season. 

The Brazilian playmaker has received six yellow cards from 31 Spanish top-flight appearances in 2015-16, while Pepe has been booked five times in 20 outings, per WhoScored.com.

Pepe has long had a reputation for being hot-headed and rash on the pitch, but he does not believe he would have remained at Real for such a long time if he was indeed a violent player, per Surface (via beIN Sports):

"The people can say what they want, but fact remains that Neymar has been booked more often than me. Real Madrid are an exemplary club. I would never have had the chance to play for this club for such a long period had I really been such a crazy, violent player."

During his nine-year career at the Bernabeu, Pepe has been involved in a number of controversial incidents, including receiving a 10-match ban in 2008-09 after stamping on Getafe's Javier Casquero, per beIN Sports.

The 33-year-old also has a history of questionable decision-making in El Clasico battles against Barcelona—see below for some of his more reckless moments:

But he has not actually been sent off for Real since the 2011-12 season, per WhoScored.

And, based on career statistics from last summer, Pepe has actually picked up a very similar number of bookings to Neymar in a much longer period, per Bleacher Report UK (h/t Soccerway):

Favourable comparisons to the 24-year-old in a disciplinary regard do not necessarily make Pepe a clean player, but it is notable that his reputation is much worse than Neymar's when it comes to perceived dirty play.

The defender has been less in the spotlight this season as he has suffered some injury troubles, but, despite his protestations, he is still likely to remain regarded as a controversial player until he decides to hang up his boots.