Eusébio, "A Pantera Negra"

Olá my dear friends

Eusébio da Silva Ferreira (1942 – 2014), Eusébio, “A Pantera Negra” (“The Black Panther”) was also known as “A Pérola Negra” (“The Black Pearl”), “O Génio Humilde” (“The Humble Genius”) or simply “O Rei” (“The King”) and was one of the greatest footballers of all times. Born in Mozambique, at the time when Portugal was from Minho to Timor, he came to the continent with 19 years old to play at Sport Lisboa e Benfica. Eusébio played in Benfica for 15 years and during that time he scored 638 goals in 614 games. He helped Benfica win 11 Primeira Liga titles, 5 Taça da Liga titles and 1 European Cup, he also won 7 Bola de Prata and was the first ever player to win the European Golden Boot, in 1968 and 1973. Eusébio was also an important footballer for the Portuguese National Team, helping them reach third place at 1966 World Cup being top goalscorer of the tournament.

Eusébio and Fadista Amália

When Portugal was known by the three F’s (Fátima, Fado and Football), Eusébio wasn’t allowed to leave Portugal and play for a foreign team, he was considered by the dictatorial regime as a “Property of the State”. During the Colonial War Eusébio, loved by all, Benfica’s fans or not, had the power to stop the war every time he played, everyone wanted to hear the game at the radio. With a rare fairplay he would applaud the goalkeeper of the opposite team when he could defend Eusébio’s shots. 

According with Eusébio’s wishes he was taken to a last round around Estádio da Luz (Benfica’s Stadium) where fans from all ages and football teams applaud him even if they never really saw him play, Eusébio was already a living legend. Another of his wishes was to be buried with three flags, one from Portugal, Mozambique and Benfica.

For all these reasons, besides the bad weather, Portugal saiu para a rua to homenagear him not only the football player but also the man he was. At Dia de Reis (The Three Magic King’s Day) Portugal said goodbye to Eusébio crying tears of saudade and singing “Tu és o nosso Rei, Eusébio!” (“You’re our King, Eusébio!”).

From Portugal,with love