Eus�bio da Silva Ferreira, GCIH, GCM, was a Mozambican-born Portuguese football striker. He is considered one of the greatest footballers of all time. During his professional career, he scored 749 goals in 745 matches at club level and 41 goals for his national team, a total of 790 goals. Nicknamed the Black Panther, the Black Pearl, or o Rei, he was known for his speed, technique, athleticism and his right-footed shot, making him a prolific goalscorer. He is considered S.L. Benfica's and the Portugal national team's most renowned player and one of the first world-class African strikers. Although born in Mozambique and having an Angolan father, Eus�bio, like Matateu and M�rio Coluna, among others before him, could only play for the Portuguese team, since both of the African countries were overseas territories and their inhabitants were considered Portuguese. He helped Portugal reach third place at the 1966 World Cup, being the top goalscorer of the tournament with nine goals and received the Bronze Ball award. He won the Ballon d'Or award for European footballer of the year in 1965 and was runner-up in 1962 and 1966. 

January 25th, 1942 in Maputo  /  Died:   Jan 5th, 2014