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The ace in Portugal's pack
To help mark UEFA's Jubilee, each national association was asked to nominate
its most outstanding player of the past 50 years. Portugal chose Eusébio da
Silva Ferreira as their Golden Player.

By António Florêncio

On 25 January 1942 in the Mafalala district of Lourenco Marques, the capital
of Mozambique, a boy was born who would become one of the greatest
footballers of all time with SL Benfica and Portugal.

Extraordinary debut
His debut with his club side, against Santos FC at the Parc des Princes in
Paris, was auspicious indeed. "I came on and scored a hat-trick. Pelé was
playing against me that day and came over to congratulate me. Despite the
goals, Benfica still lost," he recalled. The opposition, which included Zito,
Coutinho and Pepe as well as Pelé, were leading 5-0 when Benfica decided to
introduce a slender 18-year-old striker. The rest, as they say, is history.

Capital start
But Eusébio's story starts in Lourenco Marques, in the former Portuguese
East African colony from where a generation of footballers were sent to
Portugal. The first to impress was Matateu followed by Mário Coluna, and
then Eusébio emerged to write himself into Portuguese football lore.

'Very respectful'
An exceptional man, Eusébio's modest and considerate nature is still
apparent today. "When I arrived at Benfica, I was in awe of José águas, Má
rio Coluna, Germano de Figueiredo and José Augusto and called them 'senhor'
- even in the European [Champion Clubs'] Cup final against Real Madrid [CF]
in Amsterdam. In the second half I said to Coluna: 'Senhor Mário, let me
take this free-kick so I can score!'"

'Ace in the pack'
The 'senhores' soon realised that with Eusébio in their ranks they were
destined for glory. And it was after Benfica's second consecutive European
Cup success (Eusébio's first) - against Madrid in May 1962 - that defender
Fernando Cruz passed the now legendary comment: "Eusébio is the ace in our
pack."

Exemplary sportsman
Eusébio's reputation as an exemplary sportsman and world-class talent is
global. His goals against North Korea in the 1966 FIFA World Cup, his tears
at Wembley after losing the semi-final of that tournament to England and his
general play typified by dramatic acceleration and intuitive shooting, are
well-documented images of his career. He also tells a good story.

'Di Stéfano's shirt'
"When the Dutch crowd carried me on their shoulders in the Olympic Stadium in
Amsterdam following our victory over Real Madrid in the 1962 final, I was
scared that I might fall. I had Di Stéfano's shirt stuffed down my shorts
and I thought somebody would try to pinch it!" he said.

A national treasure
Described by Portuguese dictator António de Oliveira Salazar as a national
treasure, the 'Black Panther' scored over 400 goals for Benfica. After five
knee operations the Lisbon club somewhat unceremoniously brought his career
with them to an end, although good relations were later restored.

Still revered
Today at 62 he is a happy man. He is the only figure in Portuguese football
who receives a tumultuous welcome wherever he goes, both at home and abroad,
and is still revered the world over. And to fellow internationals Luís Figo
and Rui Costa, as well as millions of ordinary people, he is known quite
simply as 'The King'.

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FROM 166.111.3.193