Our Footie Heroes - Eusebio

Born on January 25th, 1942, in Lourenço Marques, Mozambique,
Eusébio da Silva Ferreira was Africa’s first great football star
(and even with respect to Didier Drogba, he has never been eclipsed).
Nicknamed the Black Pearl, he plied his trade in Portugal
leading Benfica of Lisbon for 15 years
(at the time, Mozambique was a Portuguese colony).
He had an awesome right foot and used it in a most devastating
fashion often but particularly on two occasions:
-1962 European Cup Final victory over Real Madrid (he scored 2 goals)
-Top scorer at the 1966 World Cup in England with 9 goals
(and he led Portugal to 3rd place)
Eusébio finished his career in North America,
playing for the Boston Minuteman, the Toronto Metros-Croatia
and the Las Vegas Quicksilver.
Throughout his career, he was the consummate professional
and the present members of the Portuguese team
could benefit dramatically from a little personal time
with the maestro.