pete 2,494 Posted January 5, 2014 Share Posted January 5, 2014 Eusebio: Passes away at the age of 71 The former Benfica star, nicknamed the Black Panther, was the top scorer in the 1966 World Cup in England, when he helped Portugal to the semi-finals and a third-place finish. He scored 41 goals in 64 appearances for his country. Eusebio da Silva Ferreira was born in Mozambique and he moved to Lisbon after joining Benfica as an 18-year-old from his local club, Sporting Clube de Lourenco Marques. He quickly established himself at the Stadium of Light of was the talisman at Benfica during the club's glory years in the 1960s. Eusebio helped the Eagles retain the European Cup in 1962 when they beat Real Madrid 5-3 in Amsterdam, while the club lost Wembley finals to AC Milan in 1963 and Manchester United in 1968, and well as Inter Milan in 1965. He was the 1965 European Footballer of the Year and finished as runners-up twice, in 1962 and 1966, and in 1968 was the first winner of the Golden Boot Award, as Europe's leading scorer, a feat he repeated five years later. Eusebio was the Portuguese First Division's top scorer seven times, and he helped Benfica to 11 league titles and five national cup wins. A spokesman for Benfica said: "We have just received confirmation of the death of Eusebio. "It's a very sad day for all of us." The club were unable to confirm details of Eusebio's death but reports in Portugal say he died of a cardiac arrest in the early hours of Sunday morning. He had been in poor health for some time and was hospitalised during Euro 2012 after suffering a heart scare in Poland. Benfica fans will now be offered the chance to pay their final respects to the player at the Estadio da Luz later on Sunday. "Eusebio's body will be brought to the stadium later today and all fans will be able to say goodbye," the spokesman added. Eusebio was a torment to defenders because of his speed and technique, and scored an astonishing 317 goals in 301 appearances for Benfica, where he was a player between 1960 and 1975. He then spent the twilight of his career in North America with spells at Boston Minutemen, Toronto Metros-Croatia, the Las Vegas Quicksilvers and New Jersey Americans until a series of knee injuries forced his retirement at the age of 37. But it was his achievements with Benfica which made him a global star, with five national cup titles and a European Cup complimenting his list of league achievements. One of my hero's as a kid. Makes me realise how old I am getting. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gribz 743 Posted January 5, 2014 Share Posted January 5, 2014 Was put in a bracket with Pele, Maradona, Cruyff, Beckanbeauer and Platini....afraid the only one I can remember is Maradona. But to be put in a class with them means he is one of the all time greats. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve1872 4 Posted January 5, 2014 Share Posted January 5, 2014 Fork Eye @scotfitbaquotes1h In Scotland I am more fond of Glasgow Rangers - not Celtic. (Eusebio) 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve1872 4 Posted January 5, 2014 Share Posted January 5, 2014 Eusebio with his good pal Willie Henderson pic.twitter.com/tzNBxFXDwp via @RangersFACTS Retweeted by RangersFACTS 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BEARGER 1,829 Posted January 13, 2014 Share Posted January 13, 2014 http://www.visitasvirtuais.com/tours/SLBHomenagemEusebio/index.html Farewell to Eusebio. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Real PapaBear 0 Posted January 13, 2014 Share Posted January 13, 2014 Was put in a bracket with Pele, Maradona, Cruyff, Beckanbeauer and Platini....afraid the only one I can remember is Maradona. But to be put in a class with them means he is one of the all time greats. Platini? you mean Zidane, surely? Platini was an excellent player for sure - but all time great? 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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