Top scorer at the 1966 World Cup, Portugal football legend Eusebio passed away at the age of 71 early on Sunday morning of cardiac failure.
Born in Mozambique in 1942 when it was still a Portuguese colony, Eusebio da Silva Ferreira went on to play 64 times for Portugal, scoring 41 goals.
The Benfica striker’s nine goals at the 1966 World Cup in England included four against North Korea.
Widely considered one of the best players of all-time, he scored 733 times in 745 professional 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 current top striker Cristiano Ronaldo was among those to pay tribute following the news of Eusebio’s death.
“Always eternal, Eusebio, rest in peace,” the Real Madrid and former Manchester United striker wrote on Twitter with a picture of both of them together.
I am Scottish.53 Years old and remember practicing taking penalties in my back garden as a young boy in the style of the panther.A legend with worldwide appreciation.
Comments are closed.