Cristiano Ronaldo pays homage after the death of coach who identified him
Cristiano Ronaldo paid tribute after the death of the coach Tuesday who discovered him and many other Portuguese elite players.
Aurelio da Silva Pereira, who died at the age of 77, created the Department of Assumption and Training of Lisbon in 1988 and continued to be responsible for the development of some of the best players in Portugal.
The list of players who discovered and nourished includes Ronaldo, Luis Figo, Nani and Ricardo Quaresma.
“One of the greatest symbols of the formation of the world has left us, but its inheritance will live forever”, Ronaldo published, external on social media.
“I will never stop being grateful for everything he has done for me and for so many other players. Until always, Mr. Aurelio, thanks for everything. Rest in peace.”
Pereira was partly responsible for the greatest football success in Portugal, since the winning team of Euro 2016 characterized 10 players who helped to discover. That team was nicknamed “Aurelios”.
In 2017, he received the medal of sporting merit from the city of Lisbon and, 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,” said the Portuguese football federation in a note.
“For history, in addition to the enormous inheritance built by the man who discovered some of the best players in our history, there will be a kind person, of a nice treatment and who has always defended our talent.”
Sport – for which Pereira played and subsequently trained after returning from the rivals of Lisbon Benfica – appointed the main tone of their academy after him.
“He was a teacher in his field and an agreed person all,” Sporting said in a note.
“It will be remembered forever as one of the greatest names in the history of national football and, above all, in the history of the Club de Portugal Sportivo.”
Nani wrote, external On social media: “Thanks for everything. You were a great friend, an excellent human being, who gave me good and important advice. I will never forget everything I learned from you, my friend.”
