25th January is a celebrated date for it was on this day that the great Eusebio ‘the Black Panther’ Ferreira was born.

On his 69th birthday we can all say Eusebio has been the best player in Portuguese football history.

Originally born in my mothers neighbourhood in the city of Lorenco Marques which is now know as Maputo in Mozambique, he was brought to Portugal at the age of 16 to join Benfica from his then club Sporting Lorenco Marques.

Many Sporting Lisbon fans claim Eusebio came to Portugal to play for them, and Benfica then ‘kidnapped’ him to sign for Benfica.



Eusebio has no doubt a major influence in Portuguese football, regardless of his nation of birth, his love for Portugal since he put on the red top of both Benfica and Portugal has never been questioned. He is still a figure in most if not all of Portugal’s games. He is also the ever present figure in the Benfica ground at games and events, he still lives for those two things he loves, Benfica and Portugal.

The Black Pearl finished his career having scored 317 goals in 313 appearences for Benfica and 41 goals in his 64 caps for Portugal.