Real Madrid defender Pepe has revealed that Rafael Benitez told him that he was "third choice" at the start of the season.

The experienced Portuguese had to play second fiddle to Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane in the early months of the season, but has been reinstated into the team under new boss Zinedine Zidane.

"It is a matter of hard work. At the beginning of the year Benitez told me he did not need me, that I was third choice," he told Cadena Cope. "But I worked hard and today I have been here nine years and people know what you can expect from me.

"It's normal, you have Sergio and Raphael, who are younger than me. But if you work and you give something in every workout, you will have the opportunity."

Pepe, 33, joined Real Madrid from Porto in 2007 and has made 314 appearances for the Spanish giants in all competitions.