In the world of football, some of the most important work happens away from the roar of the crowds. It’s the quiet dedication of scouts, the ones who spot tomorrow’s stars. Hugo Pina was one of those key figures for Estoril, and on Friday, he announced his time with the club was coming to an end.
Pina, who is 41 years old, spent five seasons working with Estoril. Their home ground, Amoreira, had been his professional base for half a decade. Before becoming a scout, Pina himself was a player. He started his journey playing for Sporting’s B team. His playing career ended in 2020, with his final team being Sintrense.
He shared his thoughts in a detailed message on his LinkedIn page. Pina called his five seasons at Estoril “incredible.” He mentioned they were “full of moments I will keep forever.” For him, it was a special time.
Pina spoke with pride about some big wins. He was part of the team that won a championship in the Second Division, helping Estoril get promoted. His work also contributed to three “doubles” with the U23 youth squad. These were periods when the young players won two major competitions in the same season, showing great success.
His message also touched on the people he worked with. He said he had the chance to work closely with various club leaders and coaching staff. But perhaps his greatest pride came from watching the young players. He spoke about “recruiting and following the growth of many talents.” These are the players who, thanks to the groundwork laid by scouts like Pina, are now making a name for themselves in professional football.
