Football legend Eusebio dies aged 71

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Eusebio at Highbury in 1971 (Picture: Getty Images) Football legend Eusebio has died, aged 71.

The Portugal star, nicknamed ‘The Black Panther’, was widely acknowledged as one of the game’s greatest ever players.

His brilliance transformed Benfica into a powerhouse of European football in the 1960s, with the striker helping the Lisbon side to win the European Cup in 1961 and ’62. He also earned runner-up medals in the same competition in 1963, ’65 and ’68.

Eusebio’s exploits with his club, whom he scored a jaw-dropping 473 goals in 440 matches for over the course of 15 years, also saw him named European footballer of the year in 1965.

The Mozambique-born player, whose full name was Esuebio da Silva Ferreira, won 61 caps for Portugal, netting 41 times. At the 1996 World Cup, he was one of the stars of the tournament, finishing as top scorer with nine goals as his country finished third.

HIs career scoring record was a remarkable 733 goals in 745 matches.

After hanging up his boots in 1979, Eusebio became of football’s most recognisable ambassadors.


Eusebio with Michel Platini and Johan Cruyff at last year’s Europa League final (Picture: Daily Mail)
Eusebio lets fly to score the first goal of the 1963 European Cup final against AC Milan at Wembley. Milan won 2-1 (Picture: Getty Images) Portugal and Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo led the tributes this morning, tweeting: ‘Always eternal #Eusebio, rest in peace’