Portuguese football legend Eusébio da Silva Ferreira has died of a cardiac arrest in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Eusébio was born in Mozambique on January 25, 1942 when it was still a Portuguese colony. The legendary striker started his career with Mozambique’s Sporting de Lourenço Marques before he went on in 1960 to play for S.L. Benfica in Lisbon for 15 years out of his 22 as a footballer.
Eusébio was the top scorer at the 1966 FIFA World Cup in England with nine goals, including four in a match against North Korea. Portugal claimed the 3rd place due to Eusébio’s performances.
Widely considered one of the best footballers of all-time, he scored 733 times in 745 professional matches. He won the FIFA Ballon d’Or award in 1965 and was runner-up in 1962 and 1966. He won 10 league championships and five Portuguese cups and was Portugal’s top league scorer between 1964 and 1973.
REACTIONS ON TWITTER
Always eternal #Eusebio, rest in peace pic.twitter.com/n25X0q9rfF
— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) January 5, 2014
RIP Eusebio (1942-2014). One of the greats.
— Xabi Alonso (@XabiAlonso) January 5, 2014
Eusebio. Those figures that turned football into new contemporary history of Greek myths. Beating that Real Madrid and Brazil, like Achilles
— Tancredi Palmeri (@tancredipalmeri) January 5, 2014
#RIP Portuguese Football legend #Eusebio – had the honour of meeting him last year at Soccerex – a true gentleman. pic.twitter.com/UfS4zigRf8
— Baljit Rihal (@BaljitRihal) January 5, 2014
We’re saddened to hear Benfica legend Eusebio has passed away. He was a fantastic player and a friend of the club. pic.twitter.com/RjLc8Rj7OD
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 5, 2014
Eusebio (1942-2014). A glorious footballer and a gentleman. Honoured to have shaken his hand. http://t.co/k8osQwWcMd
— Amy Lawrence (@amylawrence71) January 5, 2014
R.I.P. #Eusébio! The beautiful game has lost a true legend! A humble footballer who will be always remembered!
— Chris Punnakkattu D. (@CPDaniel) January 5, 2014