.jpg)
.png)
Portugal football legend Eusebio dies
State news agency confirm the death of the Portugal football legend at the age of 71
5 January 2014, 12:00am
Staff Reporter
Staff Reporter
1 min read
The former Benfica star has died at the age of 71
Portuguese state news agency Lusa confirmed the news on Sunday morning that the Portugal football legend passed away at the age of 71.
Widely considered as one of the best players of all-time, he scored 733 times in 745 matches and went on to play 64 times for Portugal, scoring 41 goals.
Born in 1941 in Mozambique, Eusebio da Silva Ferreira went on to play 64 times for Portugal and was also the top scorer at the 1966 world cup with nine goals, including four against North Korea.
Nicknamed the 'black panther' for his speed and the fear he instilled in his opponents, Mozambique-born Eusebio helped Benfica reach four European Cup finals, winning the tournament in 1962 and being involved in the classic final in 1968 when Benfica lost in extra time to Manchester United.
Eusebio also helped Benfica to 11 Primeira Liga titles between 1961 and 1975, and scored 638 goals in 614 matches.
Famed for his blistering acceleration and dazzling dribbling skills, he was named European Footballer of the Year in 1965. He won 10 league championships and five Portuguese cups in his 15 years at the club and was Portugal's top league scorer between 1964 and 1973.
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo were among those to pay tribute following the news of Eusebio's death, writing "Always eternal, Eusebio, rest in peace," on his Twitter account.
•
The Black Panther was one of the football greats who uplifted the game to higher heights in his hey days.
WC 1966 North Korea stunned Italy first and then scored 3 goals against Portugal in 23 minutes, it was Eusebio who turned it around and amazingly scored 4 goals to win the game 5-3.He cried when Portugal lost to England then. He was a down to earth person born poor in Mozambique. Rest in peace my friend.
