Player Profile - Eusebio

Posted both here and in tpmazembe's piece in the link above.


If ever there was an archetypal modern day striker playing in a past era it is Eusebio. He was Vieri, Adriano, Batistuta, Shevchenko before they were even born. His pace would not be out of place in the modern game nor would his way of playing need much modification for Eusebio to slot into a modern day side and thrive. Eusebio had one of the most powerful and accurate long range shots in history anything from 35yards out was fair game and this created a huge problem for opposing defenders, you either close Eusebio down or he takes a blistering shot that had the potential to sting a keepers hands from improbable distances and angles.

It wasn’t only the colour of his skin that earned him the nickname ‘The Black Panther’ he got the moniker because of his style of play From appearing apparently docile and disinterested around about the centre circle, Eusebio could burst out of his deceptive demeanour and into a fully fledged predator, sprinting away from his markers and an entire backline with every powerful stride. He was a champion sprinter and throughout a season he would display this amazing facet dozens of times. What was even more impressive than his ability to leave players for dead was the ability to keep stride pattern with the ball and incorporate a blistering shot into synchronization with the end of a run to goal. This often left goalkeepers rooted to the spot unsure whether to attempt to come out and smother the ball or stay on their line and wait for the shot to be unleashed. It could be argued that no other player did this particular style of play quite as frequently as Eusebio. It became one of the trademark attributes of his game and before long his was a name to be feared in his domestic league, Europe and the world stage.

Although there did come a time where Eusebio was forced to operate and most importantly, understand that working as part of a team, for the team was sometimes more useful than doing it all by himself. After the 1962 world cup, Fernando Riera succeeded Bela Guttman as manager of Benefica. He made sure that Eusebio did not develop a complacent streak and told the player in no uncertain terms that he must pull his weight and actually help his team-mates more. Eusebio took the comments to heart and vowed to learn from them “He had good reason to criticise me. I dribbled on my own, I scored on my own. Of course I kept doing this because it was successful, because I found I really could beat a whole defence time after time. But I overdid it.” From this point onward Eusebio learnt and functioned exceptionally well as a team-player. He still made his trademark runs and scored magical goals, but by now he understood that he had other duties like helping his team-mates in defensive situations or to close out tight games.

During his ascension to the top of Europe’s elite Eusebio was often referred too as the European Pele. This was a label the player himself always aimed to quell “ I find it a very agreeable comparison, but an incorrect and premature one. Pele, with his remarkable individual skill, can regularly win matches on his own. I cannot succeed in doing that.” Maybe a little modest on Eusebio’s part, but at the same time clearly the signs of a man with both feet firmly planted on the ground in the midst of excitable appraisal from the certain sections of the press of the time. World Soccer magazine had a different take on the player:

The European Pele also had some Pele-like problems due to his extraordinary pace and talent – close marking, rough housing, exceptional provocation, anything at all to put him off his game and enable his markers the chances they would not otherwise have to contain The Black Panther. Dave Mackay of Tottenham Hotpsur was the roughest player Eusebio said he had ever encountered. “He was a model of improper play. Vicente, the Belenenses half back, marked Pele when we played in Brazil and did not commit a single foul. He is my ideal defender – effective but exemplary.” Strangely, when asked who were his toughest opponents in international play Eusebio replied “Mackay of Scotland and Masopust of Czechoslovakia”

From a modern perspective it is interesting to note just how fast Eusebio was. It was alluded to in the first paragraph and has been stated in tpmazembe’s profile that Eusebio was a champion sprinter over numerous distances. So how fast could he run? At 16 years of age Eusebio clocked 11seconds flat for 100m the player was well aware of just how fast he was and what pace meant (and still means) in football. “ I am quite sure my speed has greatly contributed to my success as a football player. Sprinting is a very important part of my training. Skills can be perfected only to a point, but the speed at which they can be performed is always capable of being sharpened. My experience has been that the best way of getting through the retreating defence is to have two very fast wingers who can beat the opposition in speed, thus allowing their colleagues to be able to receive the ball in a more favourable position for a shot at goal.”

One of the reasons I myself am so interested in Eusebio is because of the type of player he was, his concepts and theories of the game are in evidence right now and his raw pace, power and precision are almost unheard of in the modern game even. He is one of those players for the ages and most certainly one to put naysayer’s of celebrated older era players in their place. Statistics alone tell you a lot about the kind of player he was. Even now, in the modern game, try and reel off 10 top class strikers who can run 100m in 10 or so seconds. Remember, he was clocking 11seconds for 100m at 16yrs old, by the time he was a grown man he would have no doubt been faster. Unfortunately, there were no speed guns to clock how hard and fast a ball travelled when struck in the 60’s, but to estimate the ferocity and velocity of a Eusebio shot we must surely be talking 70-85mph with a ball 3 times heavier then the ones today’s pros get to use, on often shoddy, mud-stricken pitches today’s players wouldn’t dream of playing football on. The next time you think of Eusebio, remember just why he was called The Black Panther.

*All of Eusebio’s comments are taken from the 1964, January and May issues of World Soccer magazine.

 

Parabéns Rei Eusébio

Our greatest ever is 64 years young today.

We hope you to give you your present on Saturday!

 

I wish i could of seen Eusebio get 4 goals passed the North Koreans. Must of been an insane comeback after Portugal was down 3-0.

The only feeling that must come close to this was when Portugal was down 2-0 to England and came back to win 3-2.

 

This game is available on Video...it is something every Eusebio and Portuguese fan should own...this was an amazing comeback by Portugal and an amazing display by Eusebio.

I had the pleasure of meeting him at the Portuguese Club in Elizabeth NJ back in the Late Seventies. My most found memory is of him waiting for us outside of "Portuguese School" were he signed autographs for every child that was there.

 

This is my opinion but i believe this should be pinned but thats my opinion i won't whine about it if it isnt or anything lol

but Eusebio,the great!

 

today Eusebio 64th birthday,

http://www.slbenfica.pt/Info/Futebol/Noticias/noticiasfutebol_futeusebioaniversario_250106_33475.asp

Happy Birthday old men

 

Eusebio favorite player was Matateu, and here is why

Open the doors for other african players.

http://www.osbelenenses.com/portal/...browsers/asp/projurecortes.asp?stage=2&ID=496

photo's of Coluna, Vicente his brother, and Jose Aguas.

he finish his career in Canada pass the age of 50, his ashes were spread at Belenenses stadium.

 

Eusebio says Alan Shearer is one of the best that ever played: http://uk.sports.yahoo.com/060308/4/hqcl.html