Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the greatest footballers of all time, is mourning the death of his former coach and mentor, Aurelio Pereira, the man credited with discovering him. Pereira, a legendary figure in Portuguese football, died at the age of 77, leaving behind a legacy that shaped the careers of Portugal’s most iconic players.
Ronaldo took to social media on Tuesday to express his heartfelt grief, writing, “One of the greatest icons of training in the world has left us, but his legacy will last forever. I will always be thankful for everything he did for me and for so many other players. Forever grateful, Mr. Aurelio. Thank you for everything. Rest in peace.”
Aurelio Pereira, who joined Sporting Lisbon in 1988 and founded the club’s recruitment and training department, played a pivotal role in shaping Portugal’s golden generation. He discovered and nurtured global stars like Cristiano Ronaldo, Luis Figo, Nani, and Ricardo Quaresma—names that went on to dominate world football.
His influence extended to Portugal’s historic Euro 2016 triumph. An astounding ten players from that victorious squad were products of Pereira’s scouting and coaching efforts, earning them the nickname “The Aurelios” in his honor.
In recognition of his unparalleled contributions, Pereira received the Medal of Sporting Merit from the City of Lisbon in 2017. A year later, UEFA awarded him the prestigious Order of Merit for his impact on both Portuguese and European football.
“The passing of Aurelio Pereira is a huge loss for Portuguese football,” the Portuguese Football Federation said in a statement. “He will be remembered not only for discovering some of our greatest players but also for being a warm, generous person who believed in nurturing talent.”
read also: Ronaldo with $260m is highest paid athlete in 2024 – Sportico
Ronaldo celebrates 40th birthday, says no one plays like me
Cristiano Ronaldo becomes first person to reach 1 Billion social media followers, breaks record with YouTube surge
Sporting CP, where Pereira served as both a player and a coach, paid tribute by naming the main field of their academy after him. In a tribute statement, the club declared, “His expertise in talent development was unmatched. He will always be remembered as one of the greatest figures in the history of Portuguese football and Sporting Clube de Portugal.”
Nani, one of Pereira’s most celebrated protégés, also mourned the loss. “Thank you for everything. You were a great friend and an amazing person who gave me valuable advice. I will never forget all that I learned from you, my friend.”
As tributes continue to pour in from across the football world, the legacy of Aurelio Pereira remains etched in the hearts of fans, players, and the sport itself. His vision and dedication not only discovered legends but built the very foundation of modern Portuguese football.
