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Eusebio funeral: Portuguese gather to mourn hero | |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Thousands of mourners have gathered in a Lisbon football stadium to view the coffin of football legend Eusebio, ahead of his funeral later. | |
They clapped, chanted and waved banners as Eusebio's coffin was driven into the Luz stadium. Some lit firecrackers. | |
Portugal has declared three days of national mourning for the footballer, who died on Sunday from a heart attack, aged 71. | |
He has been described as Portugal's first and greatest football superstar. | |
Born in Mozambique when it was still a Portuguese colony, Eusebio da Silva Ferreira went on to play 64 times for Portugal, scoring 41 goals. | Born in Mozambique when it was still a Portuguese colony, Eusebio da Silva Ferreira went on to play 64 times for Portugal, scoring 41 goals. |
The Benfica striker was top scorer at the 1966 World Cup in England, with nine goals, including four against North Korea. | The Benfica striker was top scorer at the 1966 World Cup in England, with nine goals, including four against North Korea. |
Widely considered one of the best players of all time, he scored 733 times in 745 professional matches. | Widely considered one of the best players of all time, he scored 733 times in 745 professional matches. |
United by pride | United by pride |
He had been admitted to hospital several times over the past year for the treatment of heart and respiratory problems. | He had been admitted to hospital several times over the past year for the treatment of heart and respiratory problems. |
Luminaries from the world of football and beyond paid tribute to the player known in his day as the Black Panther. | Luminaries from the world of football and beyond paid tribute to the player known in his day as the Black Panther. |
"Football has lost a legend," Fifa President Sepp Blatter wrote on Twitter. | "Football has lost a legend," Fifa President Sepp Blatter wrote on Twitter. |
Portugal's President Anibal Cavaco Silva said: "Portugal has today lost one of its most beloved sons, Eusebio da Silva Ferreira. The country mourns his death." | Portugal's President Anibal Cavaco Silva said: "Portugal has today lost one of its most beloved sons, Eusebio da Silva Ferreira. The country mourns his death." |
The former president of Mozambique, Joaquim Chissano, said: "I have lost a friend... Portuguese football has lost one of its greatest idols. Football brought Mozambique and Portugal together, and everyone in Mozambique is proud of Eusebio." | The former president of Mozambique, Joaquim Chissano, said: "I have lost a friend... Portuguese football has lost one of its greatest idols. Football brought Mozambique and Portugal together, and everyone in Mozambique is proud of Eusebio." |
Eusebio's casket was taken on a funeral procession around Lisbon and then into the Luz stadium - or Stadium of Light. | |
His coffin, draped in a Benfica flag, was carried from the hearse and placed in the centre of the pitch. It was left there for only five minutes or so before being returned to the car. | |
It was being taken to a Mass before a burial ceremony later in the day. | |
Earlier fans had laid scarves all over the statue of the player that stands outside the stadium. | |
The stadium, opened in 2003, replaced the 120,000-seat Stadium of Light where Eusebio dazzled for Benfica, helping them to numerous honours. | The stadium, opened in 2003, replaced the 120,000-seat Stadium of Light where Eusebio dazzled for Benfica, helping them to numerous honours. |
"For me, he is simply the creator of football," said 24-year-old fan Luis Marques. | "For me, he is simply the creator of football," said 24-year-old fan Luis Marques. |
One banner left by the Eusebio statue read: "I haven't come to say goodbye, but to say thank you." | One banner left by the Eusebio statue read: "I haven't come to say goodbye, but to say thank you." |
Glittering record | Glittering record |
Famed for his blistering acceleration and dribbling skills, Eusebio was named European Footballer of the Year in 1965. | Famed for his blistering acceleration and dribbling skills, Eusebio was named European Footballer of the Year in 1965. |
He won the European Cup with Benfica in 1962 and was in the side that lost to Manchester United in the 1968 Wembley final. | He won the European Cup with Benfica in 1962 and was in the side that lost to Manchester United in the 1968 Wembley final. |
The Portuguese manager of Chelsea, Jose Mourinho said: "Eusebio is one of the greatest footballers in the history of football. He's at this level - Eusebio, Charlton, Pele. | The Portuguese manager of Chelsea, Jose Mourinho said: "Eusebio is one of the greatest footballers in the history of football. He's at this level - Eusebio, Charlton, Pele. |
"For Portugal he means more than that. No colour, no clubs, no political sides. For Portuguese people Eusebio is Eusebio and for sure you will get some images over the next couple of days and I think you will understand what Eusebio means for our country." | "For Portugal he means more than that. No colour, no clubs, no political sides. For Portuguese people Eusebio is Eusebio and for sure you will get some images over the next couple of days and I think you will understand what Eusebio means for our country." |
In the 1966 World Cup, Eusebio's goals helped Portugal won all their group games as title holders Brazil were eliminated in the first round. | |
Eusebio then starred in a dramatic 5-3 win over North Korea in the quarter-finals, with his four goals helping his side come back from 3-0 down. | |
Portugal went on to lose 2-1 in the last four to England, with Eusebio in tears as he left the pitch at the end of the game. | Portugal went on to lose 2-1 in the last four to England, with Eusebio in tears as he left the pitch at the end of the game. |
Married with two daughters, in retirement he became an ambassador for Benfica and Portugal. | Married with two daughters, in retirement he became an ambassador for Benfica and Portugal. |