Former Manchester United star player Cristiano Ronaldo has paid tribute to his former manager Aurelio da Silva Pereira. According to reports the man died on Tuesday and it is said that it was the coach who first discovered him.
Ronaldo, Nani Mourns Aurelio da Silva Pereira
Aurelio da Silva Pereira created Sporting Lisbon’s recruitment and training department in 198. He went on to be responsible for the development of some of Portugal’s finest players. According to reports, Aurelio discovered great players including the likes of Ronaldo, Luis Figo, Nani and Ricardo Quaresma.
Cristiano Ronaldo mourning the manager on his social media handle wrote: “One of the greatest symbols of world training has left us. But his legacy will live on forever.” He also wrote: “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 was partly responsible for Portugal’s greatest football achievement. It is reported that the Euro 2016-winning squad featured 10 players he helped to discover. That team was nicknamed the ‘Aurelios’. In 2017, he received the Medal of Sporting Merit from the City of Lisbon.
Also, in 2018, Uefa distinguished him with the Order of Merit for his contribution to the development of Portuguese and European football.
“The death of Aurelio Pereira represents an irreparable loss for Portuguese Football,” the Portuguese Football Federation said in a statement. “For history, in addition to the enormous legacy built by the man who discovered some of the best players in our history, there will be a kind person, of fine treatment and who always defended our talent.”
Sporting where he played and later coached after returning from Lisbon Benfica named their academy’s main pitch after him. writing about him, they wrote: “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.”
Luis Nani also mourning him 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.”
