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Aurelio da Silva Pereira, a legendary reconnaissance responsible for identifying talent of Cristiano Ronaldo in his early years, unfortunately passed away.
Pereira first noticed Ronald while playing for Nacional in Madeira. At only 12 years old, Ronalda was pereira to Sporting, where he quickly walked through the ranks before earning a transfer to Manchester United.
The impact of pereir on Portuguese football extends far beyond Ronald. During his stay in Sporting, he played a big role in discovering numerous top talents, including Luis Figo, Ricardo Quresma, William Carvalho, Paulo Futra, Rui Patricio and Nani.
Ronaldo headed to the Social Media Squad to pay tribute to a man who helped to start his professional career. In addition to the photograph of the two of them together, he wrote: “One of the greatest symbols of world football has left us, but his legacy will live forever.
“I will never stop being grateful for everything he has done for me and for many other players. To forever, Mr. Aurelio, thank you for everything. Rest in peace.”
Sporting also issued an official statement in marking Pereir’s long and impressive career as a scout.
“Sporting Clube de Portugal would like to express condolences to the death of Aurelio Da Silva Pereira, who passed away on Tuesday, 77 years old.
One of the great symbols of world education abandoned us, but his legacy will live forever. I will never stop being grateful for everything you have done for me and so many other players. To always, Mr. Aurélio, thank you for everything. Rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/8pvle73id4
– Cristiano Ronaldo (@cristiano) 8 April 2025
“Born on October 1, 1947, an Sporting CP joined to play football and later left to join Club Futebol Benfica to become a coach.
“He returned to the club to train the younger teams for about 20 years. In 1988 he created and became head of employment and since then his story has been more than well known.
“He discovered many of the greatest national talents and brought them to Sportsing, where they grew and succeeded and later moved to the biggest stages of world football.
“From Paul Futra, to Luis Figo and Cristiano Ronaldo, but also the lowest talents, Aurelio Pereira is largely responsible for the career of several football figures in the last 40 years.
“He was a leader in his profession and the person everyone watched. He received two awards” ceiling “and” Golden Lav “, and in 2012 the club called the Academy of Sporting and the main training for him.
“In 2016, he saw that the Portuguese national team won the European Championship in France, where he discovered ten players. Their nickname was” Aurelios “. In 2017 he received the Sports Merit medal by the City of Lisbon, and in 2018, Uefa presented him the ‘Red of Merit’ award, his unpleasant contributions to the Portuguese football.
“He will forever remember him as one of the greatest names in the history of national football and, above all, in the history of Sports Cluba de Portugal. Sporting CP expresses his deepest condolences to his family and friends, and at the same time boasts him of his years of effort, dedication, and glory he brought in his fingers.
