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MONDAY, JANUARY 6, 2014 SPORTS

Eusebio: Former and Benfica great

LISBON: Portuguese forward Eusebio European Champions screens ever since. He then inspired Portugal to a remark- nine goals. It was the only World Cup he died of a heart attack in at the age In one of the most memorable In 1963, Eusebio’s trademark surging able comeback win over surprise package ever played in and overall, he won 64 of 71 yesterday leaving behind a legacy moments of his career, Eusebio helped runs and fearsome shots guided Benfica North Korea in the quarter-finals. The caps for Portugal and scored 41 interna- that marks the Benfica legend out as one Benfica overcome Real in a to their third consecutive European Cup underdogs raced to a 3-0 lead at tional goals. He played his last game for of the greatest players in soccer history. thrilling 1962 European Cup final, the final, where they were beaten by AC Milan but Eusebio almost single- Benfica in 1975 and went on to represent Eusebio began playing football bare- striker scoring a penalty to put his side 2-1, and another final two years later handedly dragged his team back into the clubs in North America and two minor foot as a child on Mozambique’s dust ahead in the second half before sealing a which they lost to . On the contest, scoring four goals either side of sides in Portugal, eventually calling time track pitches before jumping into the thrilling 5-3 victory with an exquisite free domestic front, Eusebio’s Benfica domi- half-time as Portugal advanced with a 5-3 on his decorated career in 1979. spotlight at Benfica. He helped the club kick. nated, winning three consecutive league victory. Eusebio, who was considered a gentle- reach four European Cup finals, the last in A humbled Alfredo Di Stefano handed titles on three separate occasions during Eusebio’s campaign was brought to an man both on and off the pitch, spent the 1968 when they lost to Manchester Eusebio his Real Madrid shirt after the his 15 years at the club. abrupt and jarring end when an over- last decades of his life as a roving ambas- United in extra-time at Wembley. Benfica final whistle as Portugal’s new-found star worked Portugal struggled against sador for Benfica and Portuguese soccer. won the trophy in 1961 and 1962. rejoiced in both beating his idol and get- 1966 World Cup England’s physical approach and Bobby “Benfica is in my blood,” he once told Nicknamed the ‘Black Panther’ for the ting his hands on a treasured piece of soc- For Portugal, Eusebio hit his stride at Charlton’s two goals left an inconsolable in an interview. fear he instilled in his opponents, he was cer memorabilia. the 1966 World Cup in England. Eusebio in tears at the end of the Over the last year, Eusebio was admit- the top-scorer at the 1966 World Cup “The king” was carried around on the After easing past Hungary and Wembley encounter which the hosts won ted to hospital several times and diag- with nine goals that helped Portugal shoulders of celebrating fans that night, Bulgaria, Portugal rounded out the group 2-1. nosed with bilateral pneumonia, acute reach the semi-finals and his performanc- in an iconic image engraved in Portugal phase with a 3-1 win over reigning world Portugal eventually finished third but neck pain and hypertension but shook off es at home inspired Benfica to 11 domes- and Benfica’s history books and repeated champions Brazil as Eusebio scored twice Eusebio was singled out as the star of a the conditions before finally succumbing tic titles. time and again on Portuguese television to outshine Pele. tournament he ended as top scorer with to a heart attack. —Reuters

FACTBOX Eusebio, the ‘Black Panther’ Early Playing Days Born Jan. 25, 1942 in Mozambique’s capital Maputo, then under Portuguese colonial rule and called Lourenco who lit up 1966 World Cup Marques. He used to play barefoot in the streets of Maputo with a ball of rags. LISBON: Known as the “Black Panther” or simply “The King”, Eusebio’s registration was finally settled, and in 1961 he made Eusebio was named European Player of the Year. Known alternatively as the “black pan- football legend Eusebio, who has died aged 71, reigned over his debut for the club, scoring a hat-trick in a friendly. Over the ther” or “the king” he started playing in Portuguese football in the , bringing glory to both his next five years, Eusebio developed as one of world football’s 1966 World Cup exploits Mozambique’s Sporting de Lourenco club Benfica and his country. best players. But while Eusebio excelled with Benfica in Europe, it was The top scorer in the 1966 World Cup and In an early game for Benfica, he had outshone Pele in a his exploits at the 1966 World Cup for which he will be best Marques and was hired by Benfica in considered one of the best footballers of friendly with Santos, and in 1962 he scored the crucial goals in remembered. 1960. all time, Eusebio da Silva Ferreira died of a 5-3 victory over Real Madrid in the European Cup final. Eusebio’s nine goals in England propelled Portugal to a cardio-pulmonary arrest early When Madrid’s legendary Hungarian Ferenc Puskas symbol- third-place finish, and a succession of opposing teams simply Playing Style yesterday morning.His death ically handed his jersey to Eusebio after the match, the mes- had no answer to the power and pace of his play. Gifted with a devastating shot that he lead to an out pouring of trib- sage was clear - the torch He scored twice in the 3-1 victory which sent holders utes with the Portuguese govern- had passed, and Brazil out of the competition. unleashed with both his right and left ment decreeing three days of nation- in 1965 In the quarter-finals Eusebio was unstoppable, pulling foot, Eusebio fused power with tremen- al mourning, with flags in Lisbon to off a one-man rescue act after Portugal went 3-0 down dous pace, sense of opportunity up front fly at half mast. against North Korea after just 20 minutes. The Koreans and an effective dribble. Athletically “Football has lost a leg- were blown away by a four- display from Eusebio as strong, he crafted explosive runs down end,” FIFA president the Portuguese won 5-3. In the semi-final against England Eusebio was effec- the flanks and was never afraid to shoot wrote on . tively marked out of the match but he did find the net from long distance. While often being “But Eusebio’s again. He scored his ninth of the tournament in the closely marked and singled out, he always place among the third-place play-off win over the Soviet Union. remained cordial, low key and polite. greats will never be tak- He finished his 64- career having accu- en away.” The top mulated 41 goals for Portugal. He also Portuguese footballer of all earned European football’s Golden Boot Benfica time Eusebio rivalled all-time award twice and was Portugal’s top Eusebio was a teenager when he left greats including Brazilian Pele, scorer every season between 1964 Lourenco Marques for Lisbon and his ’s Alfredo Di Stefano and and 1973. career will forever be linked with Benfica. England’s . He helped Benfica to 11 “I was the best player in the world, top scorer in league championships He is the biggest name in the club’s 109- the world and Europe. I did everything, except win a World and five domestic year history and assumed an almost Cup,” Eusebio said in a interview in 2011, recalling his tears cups. He also mythical status. A statue outside the Luz after Portugal’s loss in the 1966 World Cup semi-final to appeared on stadium is a reminder of his impact. England. the losing side Scored a hat-trick in 20 minutes From humble origins in the former Portuguese colony of in the European Mozambique, Eusebio da Silva Ferreira was to emerge as one Cup finals of 1963 against World Club champions Santos in of the World Cup’s most feared strikers, combining panther- and 1968. In 1975 he 1961 after coming from the bench. like pace with a ferocious shooting ability. joined the flow of “Who is that guy who came in and scored Known throughout his career simply as Eusebio, the poor players involved in the a hat-trick? He is going to be some player,” boy from Maputo became a legend for his exploits with ill-fated North American Brazil great Pele said at the time. Portugal and Lisbon giants Benfica during the 1960s. Born in Soccer League, before retiring 1942, he rose to prominence in Mozambique football circles in 1979 after winding down his career in Mexico and Portugal. Arrived at the club after Benfica had as a teenager through his performances for Sporting Married with two daughters, in retirement he became won the European Cup for the first time, Lourenco Marques, a team with links to Sporting Lisbon. an ambassador for Benfica and the Portuguese football beating in 1961. He started With his exceptional technique, strength and goal-scor- federation. Always present at major events, he rubbed playing for Benfica in 1961 and stayed for ing record, it was not long before word of Eusebio’s prowess shoulders with current stars, among them the young almost 15 years. soon filtered back to Portugal. In December 1960 he was , now the Portugal captain, and offered trials with Sporting. the only one who could one day dethrone “The Won 11 championships with Benfica Although keen, Eusebio was not willing to risk leaving his King”. and five domestic cups. beloved mother unless there was the firm promise of a con- “Eusebio will always be eternal. Rest in Eusebio was awarded Football’s tract. Sporting baulked, creating an opening for Benfica, who peace,” wrote Ronaldo, in a message posted Golden Boot twice, in 1968 and 1973 and snapped up the youngster’s signature. on Facebook alongside a photo of himself won the Ballon d’or for the best European A wrangle with Sporting Lourenco Marques over and his hero Eusebio. —AFP player in 1965.Led Benfica to four European Cup finals and won Europe’s top club title in 1962, scoring twice in a 5- Reaction to Eusebio death 3 defeat of Real Madrid in Amsterdam. The last final he reached with Benfica was LISBON: Reaction following the death Jose Durao Barroso (Portugal’s in 1968 when they lost in extra time to yesterday aged 71 years of Portuguese European Commission president): football legend Eusebio: “It’s a sad day for Portuguese football. I Manchester United at Wembley. offer my sincere condolences to Eusebio’s A statue depicting Eusebio executing Sepp Blatter (FIFA president) on family and all Portuguese people.” one of his trademark shots was carved in Twitter: his honour and placed just outside the “Football has lost a legend. But Armando Gebuza Eusebio’s place among the greats will (Mozambique President) Luz stadium in 1994. never be taken away “Eusebio was a “He’s a figure who has contributed to football & FIFA ambassador. He’ll be the deep and rich history of Portugal’s 1966 Run To Semis sorely missed. Rest in peace Black Mozambique. Eusebio came here from Earned 64 international caps and 41 Panther.” time to time. He always maintained a link goals, including an emotional Wembley with Mozambique. He’s a very well known Luis Figo (former Portuguese interna- and respected figure in our country.” appearance against England when tional, who retired in 2009 with a Portugal lost in the semi-finals of the national record of 127 caps): Antonio Simoes (Eusebio’s former 1966 World Cup, where he was top scorer “The king! Great loss for all of us! The Portuguese international teammate): with nine goals. greatest! “His death is a great loss ... for “Eusebio showed an extraordinary In the group phase Eusebio’s Portugal everything he represented globally. He inner strength (...). I felt that he was not was close to national players, always well recently, but I didn’t want to broach eased to wins against Hungary and ready to help and offer words of com- the subject with him. He had extraordi- Bulgaria and then beat reigning world fort. He leaves behind a great void.” nary stories which he lived through and LISBON: A young boy dressed in Portugal’s Benfica’s soccer team colours, gives the champions Brazil 3-1 as Eusebio got the which he loved to tell “ best of Pele and scored twice. Pedro Passos Coelho thumbs-up as he poses for a photograph next to the statue of the Portuguese soc- (Portuguese Prime Minister): Portugal captain Ronaldo cer player legend Eusebio at Benfica’s Luz stadium in Lisbon, yesterday. —AP “He was a football genius, an example wrote on Twitter: Final Playing Days of humility, an excellent athlete, a gener- “Always eternal #Eusebio, rest in Ended his career in Portugal playing ous and supportive man. He was for all peace.” for Beira Mar and Uniao de Tomar the fans an example of professionalism, between 1976 and 1977. determination and dedication.” Chelsea’s Portuguese Jose Mourinho: Eusebio had several stints away from Statement from Eusebio’s “He was one of the great figures of Portugal, particularly in the United States, former club Benfica: Portugal, a nobleman of our country. I where he played for the Rhode Island “We will remember his talent, his think he is immortal. He was an important Oceaneers, Boston Minutemen, Las Vegas example, his character which marked reference in his vision of football, his val- Quick Silvers and New Jersey. He also Portuguese football and which estab- ues, principles, and emotions and that lished him as a global benchmark for even after the end of his career. If we try played for Canada’s Toronto Metros and football. Eusebio’s life is the heritage of to compare with modern day football Mexico’s Monterrey. all those who love football. Benfica was Eusebio would be on the level of the best. his home port ... He made Benfica more If he were 20 or 30 years old today, he Post-Career than a club, he made it his home and would have had an unbelievable level.” Portugal’s dictator Antonio Salazar did his family. The memory and legacy of Eusebio will remain among us.” Football Association not allow him to make a big-money move chairman Greg Dyke: to and Eusebio spent the final part of (former Germany “Every generation has great footballers. his career abroad, after Portugal’s chaotic and Bayern player) on Twitter: He was clearly a world-class footballer transition to democracy in 1974. “One of the greatest football players who scored an awful lot of goals. He had a Assumed the role of assistant coach and ever has passed away. My friend Eusebio level of natural talent that most players File picture, Pele, left, New England Revolution owner Robert Kraft, second left, died last night. My thoughts are with his don’t have. He was the (Lionel ) or Brazil Football Federation President Jose Maria Marin, second right, and Eusebio later as an advisor and lifelong ambassa- family.” Ronaldo of his time.” —AFP pose with a Brazil soccer jersey prior to an international friendly soccer match dor to Benfica. —Reuters between Portugal and Brazil, in Foxborough, Mass. —AP