Era Eusébio

Lore & Background

Eusébio was born in the Mafalala neighbourhood of Lourenço Marques (now Maputo), Portuguese Mozambique on 25 January 1942. He helped Portugal reach third place at the 1966 FIFA World Cup, being the top goalscorer of the tournament with nine goals. He won the Ballon d'Or in 1965 and was runner-up in 1962 and 1966. He is Benfica's all-time top scorer with 473 goals in 440 competitive matches. There, his honours include eleven Primeira Liga titles and a European Cup, also being integral in reaching additional European Cup finals in 1963, 1965 and 1968. He was the European Cup top scorer in 1964–65, 1965–66 and 1967–68. He also won the Bola de Prata for the Primeira Liga top scorer a record seven times. He was the first ever player to win the European Golden Boot, in 1968, a feat he replicated in 1973.

In Their Own Story

The floodlights hummed over the Estádio da Luz as the crowd roared for the number nine shirt. Eusébio received a loose ball near the halfway line, his eyes fixed on the goal thirty yards ahead. He accelerated past two defenders with effortless grace, the grass kicking up beneath his boots. With a single touch to control and another to strike, the net rippled white against the red backdrop. The stadium erupted in a deafening chant that shook the foundations of the stands.

Reader's Guide

Eusébio was known for his speed, technique, athleticism and right-footed shot, making him a prolific goalscorer, accumulating 733 goals in 745 matches. He was the first ever player to win European Golden Boot, World Cup Golden Boot and UCL Golden Boot. In the UEFA Champions League, he ranks second for the all-time Portuguese top goalscorers, scoring 47 goals. He is the second-highest goalscorer, behind Alfredo Di Stéfano, in the pre-Champions League era of the European Cup with 47 goals.

Did You Know?

• Eusébio was the first ever player to win the European Golden Boot, in 1968.
• He is Benfica's all-time top scorer with 473 goals in 440 competitive matches.
• Pelé named Eusébio as one of the 125 best living footballers in his 2004 FIFA 100 list.
• In November 2003, he was selected as the Golden Player of Portugal by the Portuguese Football Federation.