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Legendary football scout Aurelio Pereira, who discovered superstars including Cristiano Ronaldo and Figo, has died aged 77. The former coach spent more than three decades running Sporting Lisbon's recruitment and training department. During that time, he became one of the most important figures in the success of both the club and Portuguese football in general having been credited with discovering two of Portugal's greatest ever players. A statement from Sporting released on Tuesday read: "He will forever be remembered as one of the greatest names in the history of national football and, above all, in the history of Sporting Clube de Portugal. "Sporting CP extends its deepest condolences to family and friends, whilst praising and thanking the years of effort, dedication, devotion and glory that Leão has brought to his chest. " The club have also changed their profile pictures on social media to black along with sharing snaps of Pereira from his career in football. Pereira first joined Sporting as a player before leaving for city rivals Benfica but would later return to work for the club as a coach. He then opened their recruitment and training department in 1988 and would go on to run it for 31 years. As well as Ronaldo and Figo, Pereira is also credited with unearthing ten members of Portugal's Euro 2016-winning squad. His work at Sporting even saw the club name their main academy pitch after him. Ronaldo paid tribute to Pereira on social media, writing: "One of the greatest symbols of world training has left us, but his legacy will live on forever. "I will never stop being grateful for everything he did for me and for so many other players. Until forever, Mr. Aurelio, thank you for everything. Rest in peace. " Ronaldo joined Sporting's academy from Nacional aged 12 before going on to make 31 first-team appearances prior to leaving for Manchester United in 2003. He has since gone on to win five Ballons d'Or during his illustrious career. The forward is also Portugal's record scorer and appearance maker with 136 goals in 219 caps. Figo is another Ballon d'Or winner to have joined Sporting's youth set-up under Pereira's leadership. The former midfielder went on to play for Barcelona, Real Madrid and Inter Milan after leaving the Portuguese capital. He would win the Ballon d'Or in 2000, beating Zinedine Zidane and Andriy Shevchenko to the award as the first winner from Portugal since Eusebio 35 years earlier. © 2025 talk SPORT Limited
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