Cristiano Ronaldo Mourns the Loss of Former Coach Aurelio da Silva Pereira
Ronaldo and Fellow Players Honor the Legacy of the Coach Who Shaped Their Careers
Cristiano Ronaldo has paid heartfelt tribute to his former coach, Aurelio da Silva Pereira, who passed away on Tuesday at the age of 77. Pereira, widely recognized for discovering some of Portugal’s greatest football talents, played a key role in shaping the careers of Ronaldo and several other elite players.
In 1988, Pereira established Sporting Lisbon’s recruitment and training department, a groundbreaking move that helped cultivate some of the country’s finest footballers. Among those he discovered were Ronaldo, Luis Figo, Nani, and Ricardo Quaresma.
Ronaldo shared his emotional tribute on social media, saying: “One of the greatest symbols of world football development has left us, but his legacy will live on forever. I will always be 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’s influence extended to Portugal’s landmark achievement—winning the Euro 2016 tournament, where 10 players from the victorious squad had been discovered by him. The team was affectionately known as the “Aurelios” in recognition of his immense contribution to Portuguese football.
His remarkable legacy was celebrated through several honors, 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 expressed its deep sorrow, stating, “The death of Aurelio Pereira represents an irreparable loss to Portuguese football. Beyond his extraordinary legacy in discovering top players, he was a kind, dedicated person who always defended our talent.”
Sporting Lisbon, where Pereira played and later coached, honored him by naming the main pitch at their academy after him. The club praised him as “a master in his field and a person universally respected,” adding that he would be remembered as one of the greatest figures in both national and Sporting history.
Former player Nani also paid tribute to Pereira, writing on social media: “Thank you for everything. You were not only a great friend but an incredible human being who always gave me valuable advice. I’ll never forget everything I learned from you, my friend.”
