Who did Eusebio play for and how many goals did he score? Remembering the Portuguese football legend

Who did Eusebio play for and how many goals did he score? Remembering the Portuguese football legend

Lenah Ann
updated at December 9, 2023 at 10:56 AM

Eusebio was a striker for the Portuguese national team. He is regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time and Benfica's all-time finest player. He was a prolific goal scorer due to his speed, skill, agility, and stingy right-footed shot. So, who did Eusebio play for, and how many goals did he score?

How did Eusebio die?
The famous football player, Eusebio Ferreira da Silva, poses for a photo on 1 January 1971. Photo: Keystone (Modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

Dubbed the "Black Panther," Eusebio was one of the sport's most prominent characters and one of the most fascinating to watch. But, regardless of which country or continent claims him as "their own," one thing is certain: he made his mark on the football arena. Read on to find more details about the renowned Portuguese football legend.

Eusebio's profile summary

Full name

Eusebio da Silva Ferreira

Date of birth

25 January 1942

Date of death

Died at 71 (5 January 2014)

Place of birth

Lourenco Marques, Portuguese Mozambique

Nationality

Portuguese

Ethnicity

Mixed

Religion

Christianity

Zodiac sign

Aquarius

Height

5 feet 9 inches or 175 centimetres

Weight

168 pounds or 76 kilograms

Parents

Laurindo António and Elisa Anissabeni

Siblings

Jaime, Alberto, Adelino, and Lucilia

Spouse

Flora Claudina Burheim (married 1965 - 2014)

Children

Carla Elisa and Sandra Judite Bruheim da Silva Ferreira

Profession

Former professional soccer player

Teams

Sporting, Benfica, Boston Minutemen, Monterrey, Toronto Metros-Croatia

Position

Striker

Active years

1957 - 1980

Eusebio's age

Eusebio (died aged 71 on 5 January 2014) was born on 25 January 1942 in Lourenco Marques, Portuguese Mozambique to Laurindo António and Elisa Anissabeni. His father, a rail worker, was white, while his mother was a Mozambican native of African ancestry.

As a striker who had to go against different kinds of defenders, Eusebio's height of 5 feet 9 inches or 175 centimetres played a significant role in his performance. Regarding his religion, the renowned legend was devoted to the Roman Catholic church.

Eusebio's career

Eusebio began his career with the Sporting Clube de Lourenço Marques in Mozambique, which was then a Portuguese province. When he arrived in Portugal in 1960, he was signed by the Lisbon club Benfica, and the following year he made his debut for the club.

Eusebio's wife and children
Eusebio, the Benfica and Portugal star. Photo: Bob Thomas Sports Photography (Modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

He scored two goals in Benfica's 5-3 triumph against Real Madrid in the 1962 European Cup final. He was voted European Footballer of the Year in 1965, and he guided Portugal to third place in the 1966 World Cup in England, scoring nine goals.

Additionally, he won the inaugural Golden Shoe as Europe's top scorer in 1968 and again in 1973. He was the Portuguese League's highest scorer seven times and guided Benfica to 11 league titles before suffering a severe knee injury in 1974.

Before retiring in 1979, he played for several teams in Portugal and North America. During his playing career, he scored 727 goals in 715 games for Benfica and 41 goals in 64 international appearances.

Who did Eusebio play for?

During the course of his career, the all-time football legend played for various clubs across the world. These clubs are;

  • Benfica
  • Sporting Lourenço Marques
  • Monterrey
  • Boston Minutemen
  • Beira-Mar
  • Toronto Metros-Croatia
  • União de Tomar
  • Las Vegas Quicksilvers
  • New Jersey Americans
  • Buffalo Stallions (indoor)
  • Portugal national team

How many goals did Eusebio score?

In his 23-year career, the renowned soccer legend scored 733 goals in 745 appearances for the numerous clubs he played for. He scored 41 goals for Portugal in 64 appearances and thus went down in history as the greatest footballer of all time.

Eusebio's career achievements and awards

Eusebio's career achievements and awards
Eusebio is seen playing with slot cars during a break in training at Harlow, England, on 25 July 1966. Photo: Robert Stiggins
Source: Getty Images

The renowned legend won 11 league titles, 17 domestic cups, and a European cup and claimed individual honours across his more than two-decade career. In doing so, he went down in history as one of the best football players of his generation.

Additionally, he won the 1965 Ballon d'Or, FIFA XI, World Soccer World XI, European Golden Shoe twice, and the 1966 FIFA World Cup Golden Boot.

Eusebio's wife and children

The legendary football player's wife was known as Flora Claudina Burheim. The couple tied the knot on 8 October 1965, and years later, they were blessed with two daughters: Carla, born in 1968, and Sandra, born in 1969.

How did Eusebio die?

The Portuguese soccer player succumbed to congestive heart failure at his home on 5 January 2014 when he was 71 years of age. Numerous well-known football figures, including Bobby Charlton and Franz Beckenbauer, sent their sympathies and paid their respect.

Frequently asked questions

Eusebio's position did not change throughout his career, no matter what teams he signed for. He maintained his role as a striker because scoring goals was his speciality. Here are some frequently asked questions about the Portuguese legend.

1. How many World Cups did Eusebio play?

The former striker made six World Cup appearances and scored nine goals, three goals clear of his closest challenger for the Golden Boot.

2. When did Eusebio win the Golden Boot?

The Benfica legend was the 1966 World Cup top scorer with nine goals, and in 1965, he was voted European Footballer of the Year. In 1968, he won the inaugural Golden Shoe as the top scorer in Europe with 42 goals, and he repeated the feat in 1973 with 40 goals.

Eusebio's height
Ex-Benfica footballer, Eusebio, looks on during the UEFA Europa League Finals at Amsterdam Arena on 15 May 2013 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Photo: Michael Regan
Source: Getty Images

3. How many UCLs has Eusebio won?

The Black Panther won the European Cup twice, with Benfica scoring a total of 46 goals, and the Portuguese Championship eleven times.

4. Did Eusebio play against Pelé?

Yes, the two legends met in matches dubbed as the King against the Black Panther and gave the world memorable duels.

They met in the 1962 Intercontinental Cup when Pele faced Benfica. The Brazilians defeated the Portuguese squad 5-2 in the return game at the Estadio da Luz after winning the first leg 3-2 at the Maracana.

6. What was Eusebio's nationality and ethnicity?

The renowned soccer legend was a Portuguese national of mixed ethnic background.

Final word

Football enthusiasts who have been asking who did Eusebio play for have now gotten their answer. He has played for several teams across Europe and North America, leaving those on the sidelines in awe due to his talent. The iconic soccer player has been dubbed "the greatest African footballer of all time"; outside of Africa, he is regarded as the greatest Portuguese player of all time; and in his home nation of Mozambique, he is regarded as the brightest football star the country has ever produced.

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Authors
Lenah Ann photo
Lenah Ann
Lenah Ann is a Kenyan-based content creator with 2 years of experience. She graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Mass Media and Communication from Dedan Kimathi, Kenya in 2021.