Early Years and Family History: Eusébio was born in Mozambique, then a Portuguese colony, to a Mozambican father and a Mozambican-Portuguese mother. His father passed away when Eusébio was young, leaving his mother to raise him in a poor neighborhood. Despite these early hardships, Eusébio showed a natural talent for football, often playing barefoot with makeshift balls.
Career Beginnings: Eusébio began his football journey at a local team, Sporting Lourenço Marques, which was a feeder club for Sporting CP in Portugal. However, it was Benfica, another top Portuguese club, that secured his signature in 1960 after a complex transfer saga. He moved to Lisbon at the age of 18, marking the start of his professional career.
Rise to Stardom: Eusébio quickly made a name for himself with his exceptional speed, technique, and goal-scoring ability. He helped Benfica win numerous titles, including the European Cup in 1962, where he scored two goals in the final against Real Madrid. This victory cemented his status as a top player in Europe.
Successes and Achievements: Eusébio’s career is marked by numerous accolades and records:
- Ballon d’Or: Winner in 1965.
- European Golden Boot: Top scorer in Europe in 1968 and 1973.
- Benfica Achievements: Eleven Primeira Liga titles, five Taça de Portugal (Portuguese Cup) titles.
- Portugal National Team: Led Portugal to a third-place finish in the 1966 FIFA World Cup, where he was the top scorer with nine goals.
Hardships and Challenges: Despite his successes, Eusébio faced challenges, including racism and injuries that plagued his later career. He also dealt with financial difficulties post-retirement, as footballers of his era did not earn the high salaries common today.
Later Years and Legacy: Eusébio continued to play at a high level into the 1970s, eventually leaving Benfica in 1975. He played for various North American clubs before retiring. He remained a beloved figure in Portugal, often involved in football as a coach and ambassador.
Eusébio passed away on January 5, 2014, at the age of 71. He is remembered as one of the greatest footballers of all time, often referred to as “The Black Panther” for his playing style and “The King” for his contributions to Portuguese football.
Real Name: Eusébio da Silva Ferreira
Date of Birth: January 25, 1942
Birth Place: Lourenço Marques (now Maputo), Mozambique
Residence: Portugal (Lisbon, particularly)
Profession: Footballer (retired), Coach, Football Ambassador
Nationality: Portuguese (naturalized)
Religion: Catholic
Father: Laurindo António da Silva Ferreira
Mother: Elisa Anissabeni
Partner: Flora Claudina Burheim
Horoscope: Aquarius
Age (at the time of death): 71
Weight: Approximately 82 kg during his playing career
Height: 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Body Type: Athletic
Eye Color: Brown
Hair Color: Black