Portuguese football legend Eusébio da Silva Ferreira, also known as the ‘Black Panther’ in Portugal, died today (January 5) of heart failure in Lisbon at 4.30am. He was aged 71.
The internationally famous football star had made an outstanding contribution to Portuguese football and was a living symbol of Benfica. He arrived in Lisbon in 1960 to play for the club, scoring a total of 316 goals wearing the Eagles’ shirt.
He was also crowned best scorer when playing for the Portuguese national team.
Mozabican-born Eusébio had been hospitalised several times in the past few years due to his deteriorating heart condition.
