Legendary Scout Aurélio Pereira Dies at 77

Aurelio da Silva Pereira, the legendary scout known for discovering Cristiano Ronaldo, has passed away at the age of 77. Pereira, who was instrumental in the recruitment of young talent at Sporting Lisbon since 1988, played a pivotal role in the careers of several football stars, including Ronaldo and Luis Figo. Cristiano Ronaldo paid tribute to Pereira, expressing his gratitude for the impact Pereira had on his career and many others. Sporting Lisbon highlighted Pereira's significant contributions, noting that ten of the players he discovered were part of Portugal's 2016 European Championship winning team. Pereira's legacy is celebrated as one of the greatest in Portuguese football history, having helped shape numerous national and international talents over four decades. His passing has been met with condolences and tributes from the football community, honoring his dedication and influence in the sport.