Eusebio da Silva Ferreira(71)died of Cardio Pulmonary Arrest on Sunday Jan 05,2014,reigned over Portuguese football in the 1960s, bringing glory to both his club Benfica and his country.
Eusebio's body was taken to Benfica's Luz stadium (Stadium of Light) in Lisbon, where fans placed flowers and prayed in front of Eusebio's statue
A funeral mass will be held in the Seminary Church near the stadium on Monday at 1600 GMT, and Eusebio will be laid to rest at the Lumiar cemetery in the city's northern suburbs.
In line with Eusebio's wishes his coffin will, before the funeral ceremony, around 1330GMT, be carried around the stadium where he so often delighted fans
"Portugal has today lost one of its most beloved sons, Eusebio da Silva Ferreira. The country mourns his death," President Anibal Cavaco Silva said
The Portuguese government declared three days of national mourning and the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) decided that all Sunday matches will be preceded by observing a minute of silence in memory of Eusébio. Since his death was announced early this morning, people started to arrive near his statue outside the Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica to pay their tribute, with many wreaths and scarves adorning the Black Panther's figure.
Cavaco Silva and Prime Minister Pedro Passos Coelho both attended the funeral mass held in the Seminary Church near the stadium, which was broadcast live on Portuguese television on Monday Jan 06,2014
Eusebio was buried at the nearby Lumiar cemetery after the mass.
About Eusebio(Jan 25,1942 - Jan 05,2014)
From humble origins in the former Portuguese colony of Mozambique, Eusebio was to emerge as one of the world's most feared strikers, combining panther-like pace with a ferocious shooting ability.
Born in 1942, the poor boy from Maputo rose to prominence in Mozambique football circles as a teenager through his performances for Sporting Lourenco Marques, a team with links to Sporting Lisbon.
With his exceptional technique, strength and goal-scoring record, it was not long before word of Eusebio's prowess soon filtered back to Portugal.
Early career: Started with Sporting Lourenco-Marques, a nursery club of Sporting Lisbon, but was signed by Benfica for £7,500 at the age of 19.
Benfica: Helped side beat Real Madrid 5-3 in the European Cup final in 1962. Won 10 league championships and five cups in his 15 years at Benfica.
Portugal: Scored 41 goals in 64 internationals.
Former Benfica and Portugal Forward Eusebio was considered one of the best players of all time and had scored 733 times in 745 professional matches
was top scorer at the 1966 World Cup in England(9 Goals)
Eusebio played for Benfica between 1960 and 1975, winning 11 Liga titles and five Portuguese Cups, finishing league top scorer ten years running.
awarded the Ballon d'Or in 1965
earned European football's Golden Boot award twice in 1968 and 1973
Eusébio receives the prestigious UEFA President's Award for 2009 from Michel Platini.In February 2010, Eusébio became only the third man to receive the UEFA
President's Award, following Alfredo Di Stéfano and Sir Bobby Charlton
Tributes To Eusebio
Benfica said: "We will remember his talent, his example, his character which marked Portuguese football and which established him as a global benchmark for football.
"Eusebio's life is the heritage of all those who love football.
"Benfica was his home port. He made Benfica more than a club, he made it his home and his family. The memory and legacy of Eusebio will remain among us."
Portugal Captain Cristiano Ronaldosaid his countryman was "always eternal"
Chelsea's Portuguese manager Jose Mourinho said of Eusebio: "I think he is immortal."
Manchester United and England great Sir Bobby Charlton said Eusebio was "one of the finest players I ever had the privilege to play against".
FIFA President Sepp Platter Twitted "Eusebio's place among the greats will never be taken away."
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