Cristiano Ronaldo Pays Tribute to Former Coach Aurelio da Silva Pereira After His Passing
Ronaldo and Fellow Players Honor the Legacy of the Coach Who Shaped Their Careers
Cristiano Ronaldo has honored the memory of his former coach, Aurelio da Silva Pereira, who passed away on Tuesday at the age of 77. Pereira, renowned for his role in discovering some of Portugal’s finest football talents, was instrumental in shaping the careers of several elite players, including Ronaldo himself.
In 1988, Pereira established Sporting Lisbon’s recruitment and training department, a pivotal move that led to the development of some of the country’s most celebrated footballers. In addition to Ronaldo, his notable discoveries included Luis Figo, Nani, and Ricardo Quaresma.
On social media, Ronaldo shared an emotional tribute: “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. Until forever, Mr. Aurelio, thank you for everything. Rest in peace.”
Pereira played a key role in Portugal’s Euro 2016 victory, with 10 players from that squad having been discovered by him. The team, which was crowned European champions, was affectionately nicknamed the “Aurelios” in honor of his significant contribution to Portuguese football.
His immense legacy was acknowledged with several accolades, including the Medal of Sporting Merit from the City of Lisbon in 2017 and the UEFA Order of Merit in 2018.
The Portuguese Football Federation described his death as “an irreparable loss” to the nation’s football, adding that, beyond his remarkable legacy, Pereira was remembered for his kindness and dedication to nurturing talent.
Sporting Lisbon, the club where Pereira both played and coached, named their academy’s main pitch in his honor. The club’s tribute read, “He was a master in his field and a person everyone agreed upon. He will forever be remembered as one of the greatest names in the history of national football and, above all, in the history of Sporting Clube de Portugal.”
Fellow former player Nani also shared his memories on social media: “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.”
