Football's Greatest Players. Eusabio

Legend

A true legend of World football Eusabio was nicknamed the Black Pearl. Born in Mozambique he came to Portugal, and with his powerful physique came to dominate the game. He had great speed strength and skill which made him unstoppable as he scored more than a goal a game in the Portuguese league.Eusabio played in the World Cup in England in 1966 where he won over the nation with his great sportsmanship.

Football info

With Benfica,Eusabio won 10 Portuguese Championships from 1960-1973, he also won five domestic cup titles and he was six times top scorer in the league with an overall record of 319 goals in 313 appearances.His greatest club triumph came in 1962 when Benfica beat Real Madrid to lift the European Cup, and the "Black Pearl" netted a brace.Not always properly rewarded for his talents, he spent the twilight of his career in North America.

The 1966 World Cup Finals in England saw Eusabio end up as the tournaments top scorer with 9 goals including four in one memorable match against North Korea

Top Awards

European Footballer of the Year (Ballon d'Or)    1965

World Cup "Golden Boot"   1966

European "Golden Boot" (Soulier d'Or) Award  1968  1973

FIFA Order of Merit    1994

Football Highlights

Made his debut in 1958 with Mozambique's Larenco Marques,a nursery club for Portuguese giants Sporting Lisbon.

Whilst on his way to Lisbon he was "kidnapped" and held in the Algarve until the two clubs settled their differences.

Made his International debut against England at Wembley.

Also known as the "Black Panther".

Scored at Wembley when Benfica lost 2-1 against AC Milan in the 1963 European Cup Final.

Scored against England in the World Cup semi-final defeat at Wembley in 1966 and left the pitch in tears.

Scored 46 goals in 64 Internationals for Portugal