Portugal’s captain, Cristiano Ronaldo, has expressed gratitude to former Sporting CP youth coach Aurelio Pereira, who played a pivotal role in discovering him years ago.
Ronaldo conveyed his immense happiness during their shared time at Sporting, praising Pereira’s influence. The Al Nassr captain shared these sentiments following Pereira’s recent recognition by the Portugal Football Federation at a Portuguese award ceremony, honoring his dedicated service.
Back in 1997, the former Manchester United forward joined Sporting CP’s youth program, where he was coached by Pereira. Not only did Pereira uncover Ronaldo’s talent, but he also played a similar role in nurturing other football legends like Luis Figo and Quaresma.
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Expressing his joy at Pereira’s well-deserved recognition, Ronaldo emphasized the coach’s significance in their training and the positive impact he had on many teammates. Ronaldo acknowledged Pereira’s unique ability to identify stars and provide valuable support.
“He brings me tremendous happiness. I know he is in excellent shape, and I hope he continues to thrive for many years to come. Sending him this message is a pleasure for me, and I hope he enjoys this evening. A big hug, my friend,” Ronaldo stated, as reported by the Portuguese outlet Jornal de Noticias.