The best goal scorers - part two: Eusebio

Waxen Goal Scorer

He was the best goal scorer in Portuguese Championship seven times, played in the Cup of European Champions (Champions League) Final even four times, and in 1962 he became the European Champion with Benfica


By MIROSLAV POPOVIĆ
from Belgrade, SERBIA


Sixties of 20th Century were marked by plays and goals of "Black Panther". Portuguese, born in a colony across the sea, Mozambik - Ferreira da Silva Eusebio. He was a player of famous club Benfica for 15 years, and scored 727 goals in 715 matches!

He won 11 titles of national championship and five national cups. He was the best goal scorer in Portuguese Championship seven times, played in the Cup of European Champions (Champions League) Final even four times, and in 1962 he became the European Champion after scoring twice for Benfica against powerful Real Madrid.

In the Cup of European Champions, he made 64 appearances and 46 goals scored. During his career, Eusebio had even seven surgeries on his knee, because his extremely fast legs with great dribblings were target of opponents defenders so often.

World Cup 1966 in England promoted him as the best scorer with 9 goals. In 1965 he was proclaimed the best player in Europe, and he is also famous as the first winner of Golden Boot (1968) for the best goal scorer in all European leagues. He won the same award five years later.

In the famous wax museum, Madame Tusseauds in London, there is a statue of Eusebio, who placed himself among the titans of European and world football, by master play and invincible goal instinct.


(Published: 10.09.2008.)