Eusébio da Silva Ferreira (known by the playing name of Eusébio) (born January 25, 1942 in Lourenço Marques (now Maputo), Mozambique) nicknamed The Black Pearl and The Black Panther, is a Portuguese football icon. He is considered to be one of the best of his time and is arguably one of the great all-time players.

In 1961, Eusébio joined Benfica as a 19 year old from his local club, Sporting Club of Lourenço Marques , for £7500. He made his debut for the Portuguese national team that year as well, against Luxembourg. He was the leading scorer in the 1966 World Cup where he scored nine goals, including four against North Korea. He was the 1965 European Footballer of the Year and in 1968 was the first winner of the Golden Boot Award, as Europe's leading scorer, a feat he repeated five years later. The Portuguese League's top scorer every year from 1964 to 1973, he helped Benfica to 10 league championships and 5 cup wins. Eusébio is the all-time leading scorer for his country, with 41 goals (in 64 matches).

In 1975 and 1976, Eusébio played for two minor Portuguese teams, Beira-Mar and União de Tomar . He scored a total of 733 goals in the Portuguse League. He also played in the North American Soccer League from 1975 to 1977, for three different teams.

Despite being retired, Eusébio is often found among the Portuguese national team where the players see him as a sort of inspiration and source of moral support.

Honours

• 1961: Portuguese Championship, World Club Cup runner-up
• 1962: European Cup, Portuguese Cup, World Club Cup runner-up
• 1963: Portuguese Championship, European Cup runner-up
• 1964: Portuguese Championship, Portuguese Cup
• 1965: Portuguese Championship, European Cup runner-up, European Footballer of the Year
• 1966: World Cup 3rd place
• 1967: Portuguese Championship
• 1968: Portuguese Championship
• 1969: Portuguese Championship and Cup
• 1970: Portuguese Cup
• 1971: Portuguese Championship
• 1972: Portuguese Championship, Portuguese Cup
• 1973: Portuguese Championship
• 1974: Portuguese Championship
• 1976: NASL Championship