Cristiano Ronaldo has expressed heartfelt gratitude following the passing of Aurelio da Silva Pereira, the coach who discovered him and many other elite Portuguese players.
Pereira, who died at the age of 77, was instrumental in shaping the careers of football legends such as Ronaldo, Luis Figo, Nani, and Ricardo Quaresma.
Pereira founded Sporting Lisbon’s recruitment and training department in 1988, earning recognition as a pioneer in Portuguese football development.
His contributions extended to Portugal’s greatest football achievement—the Euro 2016-winning squad, which featured 10 players he helped discover, affectionately nicknamed the ‘Aurelios.’
Ronaldo honored Pereira’s legacy on social media, stating, “One of the greatest symbols of world training has left us, but his legacy will live on forever. I will never stop being grateful for everything he did for me and for so many other players. Rest in peace.”
Pereira’s impact was celebrated with numerous accolades, including the Medal of Sporting Merit from Lisbon in 2017 and UEFA’s Order of Merit in 2018. Sporting Lisbon named their academy’s main pitch after him, cementing his place in the club’s history.
The Portuguese Football Federation described Pereira’s passing as an “irreparable loss,” highlighting his kindness and dedication to nurturing talent. Fellow players, including Nani, also shared tributes, remembering him as a friend and mentor.
