Cristiano Ronaldo has expressed deep sorrow following the death of his
former mentor and legendary Portuguese football scout Aurelio da Silva Pereira,
who passed away at the age of 77. The renowned football figure was celebrated
for discovering and nurturing some of Portugal’s most successful football
talents, including Ronaldo himself, Luis Figo, Nani, and Ricardo Quaresma.
Aurelio Pereira played a pivotal role in shaping Portuguese football through
his work at Sporting Lisbon, where he established the club’s youth recruitment
and training department in 1988. His sharp eye for talent and dedication to
player development earned him widespread recognition and made him a cornerstone
in the careers of many world-class athletes. His contributions have been described
as essential to the success of Portuguese football over the past few decades.
On social media, Cristiano Ronaldo shared an emotional message paying
tribute to Pereira, describing him as one of the most influential figures in
his life. He expressed gratitude for the guidance and support he received from
the man he referred to as “one of the greatest symbols of world training.”
Ronaldo’s heartfelt message stated, “I will never stop being grateful for
everything he did for me and for so many other players. Until forever, Mr.
Aurelio, thank you for everything. Rest in peace.”
Aurelio Pereira’s influence extended beyond Ronaldo’s generation. The Euro
2016-winning Portugal team, which marked the country’s greatest football
achievement, featured ten players who were identified and developed under his
leadership. That squad was affectionately nicknamed “the Aurelios” in
recognition of his foundational role in their careers.
Throughout his lifetime, Pereira received several prestigious honors for his
commitment to football development. In 2017, he was awarded the Medal of
Sporting Merit by the City of Lisbon. The following year, UEFA honored him with
the Order of Merit for his significant contributions to the advancement of
European and Portuguese football.
The Portuguese Football Federation issued a heartfelt statement following
Pereira’s passing, describing his death as an “irreparable loss” to the sport.
The statement highlighted not only his outstanding professional achievements
but also praised his character. He was remembered as a kind-hearted individual
who treated others with respect and remained a strong advocate for nurturing
talent at all levels of the game.
Sporting Lisbon, the club where Pereira began and concluded his football
journey, also paid tribute to the man who played for the team before returning
as a coach and youth development leader. The club’s main training pitch was
named in his honor, symbolizing the lasting impact he had on generations of
players. In a statement, Sporting described him as “a master in his field and a
person everyone agreed upon,” adding that he would be remembered as “one of the
greatest names in the history of national football and Sporting Clube de
Portugal.”
Nani, another product of Pereira’s legendary scouting and training efforts,
shared his personal appreciation for the mentor who helped shape his career. In
a touching message, he wrote, “Thank you for everything. You were a great
friend, an excellent human being, who gave me good and important advice. I’ll
never forget everything I learned from you, my friend.”
The death of Aurelio Pereira has left a deep void in the hearts of those in
the football community, particularly among the many players whose careers he
helped to launch. His dedication to youth development and his keen eye for raw
talent made him a respected and beloved figure in Portuguese football. Though
he is no longer with us, his legacy will continue to inspire future generations
of footballers in Portugal and beyond.
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