Futre bids farewell to his discoverer, Aurélio Pereira
The football world mourns the passing of Aurélio Pereira, a key figure at Sporting de Portugal and discoverer of talents who marked an era.
Pereira, who dedicated decades to Sporting’s youth academy, was responsible for promoting the careers of figures such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Luís Figo, Simao Sabrosa and, especially, Paulo Futre, a legend of Atlético de Madrid.
Sporting de Portugal expressed their condolences, recognizing Pereira as the great architect of the formation of numerous Portuguese footballers over the last 40 years.
Paulo Futre, visibly moved, shared a farewell message on social media, referring to Pereira as his ‘sporting father’, the one who discovered him at just nine years old. Aurélio Pereira, after a brief stint as a player and coach in Sporting’s youth categories, created and directed the club’s Recruitment and Talent department.
His vision for identifying young promises was crucial for the development of players who would later triumph nationally and internationally. Cristiano Ronaldo, in a tribute made in 2023, highlighted Pereira’s importance in his formation, highlighting his ability to detect and help the future stars of football. The departure of Aurélio Pereira leaves a void in Portuguese football, but his legacy will endure in each of the players he guided and in the history of clubs like Atlético de Madrid, who enjoyed the talent of Paulo Futre thanks to his vision.
