Cristiano Ronaldo Honors Late Mentor Aurelio Pereira, Age 77

Aurelio da Silva Pereira, the influential coach and mentor who discovered Cristiano Ronaldo and several other elite Portuguese players, passed away at the age of 77. Known for creating Sporting Lisbon's recruitment and training department in 1988, Pereira played a crucial role in the development of talents such as Luis Figo and Nani, and contributed to Portugal's Euro 2016 victory, where ten players he nurtured were part of the squad. Ronaldo paid tribute to Pereira on social media, expressing his gratitude for the coach’s impact on his life and career, stating, 'One of the greatest symbols of world training has left us.' The Portuguese Football Federation and Sporting CP also recognized Pereira's immense contributions to football, with the club naming their academy's main pitch in his honor. Pereira received multiple accolades for his dedication to youth development and football advancement, including the Medal of Sporting Merit and UEFA's Order of Merit. His legacy is marked by the profound influence he had on the sport and the players he helped to forge into stars.