Tag: Cristiano Ronaldo

  • Ronaldo pays tribute after death of former coach

    Ronaldo pays tribute after death of former coach

    Cristiano Ronaldo has paid tribute following the death on Tuesday of the coach who discovered him and several other elite Portuguese players.

    Aurelio da Silva Pereira, who died aged 77, created Sporting Lisbon’s recruitment and training department in 1988 and went on to be responsible for the development of some of Portugal’s finest players.

    The list of players he discovered and nurtured includes Ronaldo, Luis Figo, Nani and Ricardo Quaresma.

    “One of the greatest symbols of world training has left us, but his legacy will live on forever,” Ronaldo posted, external on social media.

    “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.”

    Aurelio Pereira was partly responsible for Portugal’s greatest football achievement, as the Euro 2016-winning squad featured 10 players he helped to discover. That team was nicknamed the ‘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,” the Portuguese Football Federation said in a statement.

    “For history, in addition to the enormous legacy built by the man who discovered some of the best players in our history, there will be a kind person, of fine treatment and who always defended our talent.”

    Sporting – for whom Aurelio Pereira played and later coached after returning from Lisbon rivals Benfica – named their academy’s main pitch after him.

    “He was a master in his field and a person everyone agreed upon,” Sporting said in a statement.

    “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.”

    Nani wrote, external on social media: “Thank you for everything. You were a great friend, an excellent human being, who gave me good and important advice. I’ll never forget everything I learned from you, my friend.”

  • ‘I could have signed for Barcelona’ – Cristiano Ronaldo

    ‘I could have signed for Barcelona’ – Cristiano Ronaldo

    Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has said that he came close to signing for Barcelona before heading to Manchester United.

    “I believe I am the best player in football history, no one has been better,” Ronaldo said in an interview with Spanish TV show La Sexta.

    The forward, who has five Ballon d’Or honours, turns 40 on Wednesday.

    “The numbers say I am the most complete footballer that has ever existed. People can like Messi, Maradona, Pele… and I respect that, yes, but I am the most complex and the numbers say that,” stated a confident Ronaldo.

    “In the history of football, I haven’t seen anyone better than me. I tell the truth from the heart,” the Portuguese, who has netted an incredible 923 competitive goals in his career, added.

    Ronaldo also listed his strengths. “I’m fast, strong, I score goals with my head or my left foot, no one has ever been more complete than me. I am the best player in history. I really believe that.”

    The Al Nassr striker has also donned the jerseys of Sporting, Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus during his prolific career.

    Admitting he could have headed to Barcelona before moving to England, he said: “I could have played for Barca. They tried to get me when I was at Sporting. They wanted me, but a year later Manchester United came along.”

  • ‘I loved playing at Barcelona despite the boos’ – Cristiano Ronaldo

    ‘I loved playing at Barcelona despite the boos’ – Cristiano Ronaldo

    Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed that he enjoyed playing at Barcelona’s Nou Camp.

    The 39-year-old told Spanish TV show La Sexta that he relished playing at the famous Nou Camp despite the boos from fans.

    “I believe I am the best player in football history, no one has been better,” he said.

    The forward, who has five Ballon d’Or honours, turns 40 on Wednesday.

    “The numbers say I am the most complete footballer that has ever existed. People can like Messi, Maradona, Pele… and I respect that, yes, but I am the most complex and the numbers say that,” stated a confident Ronaldo.

    “In the history of football, I haven’t seen anyone better than me. I tell the truth from the heart,” the Portuguese, who has netted an incredible 923 competitive goals in his career, added.

    Ronaldo also listed his strengths. “I’m fast, strong, I score goals with my head or my left foot, no one has ever been more complete than me. I am the best player in history. I really believe that.”

    The Al Nassr striker has also donned the jerseys of Sporting, Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus during his prolific career.

    Admitting he could have headed to Barcelona before moving to England, he said: “I could have played for Barca. They tried to get me when I was at Sporting. They wanted me, but a year later Manchester United came along.”

    At Real Madrid, Ronaldo’s rivalry with Lionel Messi at Barcelona became pronounced.

    He, however, said he enjoyed the matches against the Blaugranas.

    “I loved playing at the Camp Nou. They booed me, they insulted me and I loved it!” He said.

    Ronaldo also commented on the recent announcement of the prestigious winner.

    “Vini (Vinicius Junior) deserved to win the Ballon d’Or, but I’m not surprised… it lacks credibility,” Ronaldo said, before adding words of praise for the Brazilian: “He won the Champions League and scored goals.”