Born on 25th January 1942, Eusébio da Silva Ferreira was a former football player who predominantly played as a striker for Portugal national football team. He was best known for his speed and right-footed shots that made him the crackerjack of his team. He is regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time.
Eusebio Career Highlights & Achievements
Full Name | Eusébio da Silva Ferreira |
Born | 25 January 1942, Mozambique |
Position | Striker |
National Team | Portugal (64 caps, 41 goals) |
Club Career | Mainly at Benfica (638 goals in 614 matches) |
Major Club Titles | 11× Portuguese Champion, 1× European Cup (1965) |
1966 World Cup | 9 goals, Golden Boot winner, led Portugal to 3rd place |
Awards | Ballon d'Or (1965), Golden Boot (1966, 1968, 1973), BBC SPOTY (1966) |
Notable Fact | First African-born global football icon |
Biography:
Eusébio, nicknamed "The Black Panther" was a Portuguese football player. Eusébio was born in Mozambique and was the first big player that was born in Africa. Eusébio played most of his career at Benfica where he won the European Cup in 1965. He also became eleven times Portuguese Champion with Benfica and is the all-time top scorer of the club with 638 goals in 614 matches.
One of his most impressive moments was at the 1966 FIFA World Cup with Portugal. Eusébio scored two goals against Brazil, knocking out the former World Champion in the group stage of the tournament. In the quarterfinals of that tournament Portugal had to play against North Korea. After just 25 minutes it was already 3-0 for the Korean's, but then came one of the most astonishing comebacks of football, Eusébio scored four goals and Portugal won the game eventually with 5-3. In the semifinals of the tournament Portugal played against England. The one goal of Eusébio wasn't enough in the 2-1 lose and Portugal had to play for the third place against the Soviet Union. The matched started well for Portugal, by receiving a penalty after 9 minutes. Eusébio took the penalty and scored, the famous Soviet goalkeeper Lev Yashin was close to a save but just nearly missed the bal. Portugal won the game 2-1 and became third, and Eusébio became top scorer of the tournament with 9 goals. Eusébio was a great striker, he was known for his speed, powerful shot and dribbles.
Stats:
Club football: 575 matches, 580 goals
National team: 64 matches, 41 goals
Facts:
He was not really Portuguese
He almost joined Sporting Lisbon
He scored more than a goal a game
He got the better of Pele, Di Stefano and Puskas
He must have hated Wembley
Achievements:
Honored with the Ballon d'Or Award in 1965
Chosen as a part of the World Soccer World XI team of 1965
Became the European Cup top scorer in the years 1965, 1966 and 1968
Received the FIFA World Cup Golden Boot award in 1966
Won the BBC Overseas Sports Personality of the Year award in 1966
Bestowed with the “European Golden Boot” award in 1968 and 1973
Twice honored as the Portuguese “Footballer of the Year” award in 1970 and 1973.
