He was, without doubt, the greatest ever player to grace the Oval pitch in a competitive game.
Eusebio da Silva Ferreira was the focal point of the superb Benfica team from the 1960's and the main reason that 40,000 people packed the Oval on Wednesday 13th September 1967. John Colrain's Glentoran side had just returned from their highly successful North American tour and the squad were at their peak.
It was the days before seeding and the two teams, champions of Northern Ireland and Portugal, were paired together in the European Cup. The Glens went in front on 9 minutes when Tommy Morrow was fouled in the penalty area by Jacinto; player-manager Colrain converting the resulting penalty. Eusebio was man-marked by Tommy Jackson but occasionally, when he did find space, Albert Finlay in the Glentoran goal was equal to him. Finlay even saved a penalty from Graca when Eusebio was adjudged to have been fouled by Billy McCullough. Five minutes from time, Glentoran were denied a win when Eusebio struck a superb equaliser. Torres knocked the ball down to Jose Augusto who pushed it on to the waiting Eusebio. His shot, according to the Belfast Telegraph's, Malcolm Brodie, 'hit the net like a rocket leaving the launching pad'.
Eusebio would return to Northern Ireland on several more occasions with his beloved Benfica and the Portugese national side but that night, almost 50 years ago when he played at the Oval, was one of the greatest occasions Glentoran Football Club has ever known.
Eusebio passed away following a heart attack. The terms 'legend' and 'world class' are used much too often these days however both sum up this footballing genius from Mozambique. Rest in Peace, EUSEBIO.
Eusebio training at the Oval, September 1967.
Born: 25th January 1942 in Mozambique.
Career: Started out at a nursery club of Sporting Lisbon (Sporting Lourenco-Marques). Signed by Benfica for £7500 when he was 19.
Benfica: Won the European Cup with Benfica in 1962 when the beat Real Madrid 5-3 in the final. In 15 years with Benfica, Eusebio won 10 league titles and 5 cups.
Portugal: 64 internationals. 41 goals. Top scorer in the 1966 World Cup finals (9 goals).
European Footballer of the Year in 1965