Who was Eusébio da Silva Ferreira, the "Black Panther"?

Eusébio da Silva Ferreira is an eternal name in Portuguese and global football history. But how many goals did Eusébio score throughout his career? In what year did he pass away? Did you know he was one of the pioneers of soccer in North America?

Learn more about the one of the greatest Portuguese football players of the 20th century and one of the most iconic athletes of all time, whose legacy still lives on in the hearts of millions of fans.
 

Who Was Eusébio da Silva Ferreira?

   • Full name: Eusébio da Silva Ferreira

   • Date of birth: January 25, 1942, Lourenço Marques (now Maputo)

   • Date of death: January 5, 2014, Lisbon (aged 71)

   • Height: 1.75m (5 ft 9 in)

   • Nicknames: Black Panther, King

   • Playing style: Powerful and accurate shooting with both feet, technical skill, speed, dribbling ability, and sharp goal sense
 

How many clubs did he represent?

Throughout his long career, Eusébio played for 10 clubs:

   • Sporting de Lourenço Marques (1957–1960, Mozambique)

   • Benfica (1961–1975, Portugal)

   • Boston Minutemen (1975, USA)

   • Monterrey (1975, Mexico)

   • Toronto Metros-Croatia (1975–1976, Canada)

   • Beira-Mar (1976)

   • Las Vegas Quicksilvers (1976–1977, USA)

   • União de Tomar (1977–1978, Portugal)

   • New Jersey Americans (1978–1979, USA)

   • Buffalo Stallions (1979–1980, USA)
 

How many goals did Eusébio score?

When the ball reached Eusébio’s feet, the chances of it ending in the back of the net were incredibly high. So how many goals did Eusébio score in total?

He scored 624 goals in 639 matches, including 41 goals for the Portuguese National Team — a record that stood until 2005, when Pauleta surpassed it during a World Cup qualifier.

Goals by club:

   • Sporting de Lourenço Marques: 42 matches, 77 goals

   • Benfica: 440 matches, 472 goals

   • Boston Minutemen: 8 matches, 2 goals

   • Monterrey: 10 matches, 1 goal

   • Toronto Metros-Croatia: 25 matches, 18 goals

   • Beira-Mar: 12 matches, 3 goals

   • Las Vegas Quicksilvers: 17 matches, 2 goals

   • União de Tomar: 12 matches, 3 goals

   • New Jersey Americans: 9 matches, 5 goals

   • Buffalo Stallions: 5 matches, 1 goal

Portuguese National Team: 64 matches, 41 goals
 

How many international caps did he earn for Portugal?

As mentioned, Eusébio the football player earned 64 caps for the Portuguese National Team, scoring 41 goals.
 

What was Eusébio’s first and last match for Portugal?

Eusébio’s debut for the Portuguese national team took place on October 8, 1961, against Luxembourg in a World Cup 1962 qualifier in Luxembourg City. Portugal lost 4–2, but Eusébio scored.

His final match wearing Portugal’s colors was on October 13, 1973, at his beloved Estádio da Luz, in a World Cup 1974 qualifier against Bulgaria. He was substituted in the 28th minute to a standing ovation, replaced by Jordão.
 

How many titles did he win?

Eusébio’s trophy cabinet is impressive:

   • 11 Portuguese League titles

   • 1 European Cup (1961/62)

   • 1 Colonial Championship of Mozambique

   • 1 North American Soccer League title (1976)
 

How many individual awards did he win?

 

  In Portugal:

   • Top scorer in the Portuguese League: 7 times

   • Portuguese Footballer of the Year: 2 times
 

  Internationally:

   • Top scorer of the 1966 World Cup (9 goals)

   • European Golden Boot: 2 times (1967/68 and 1972/73)

   • Ballon d'Or winner: 1 time (1965)

   • Ballon d’Argent (Silver Ball): 2 times (1962 and 1966)

So did Eusébio win a Ballon d'Or? Yes — he won it in 1965, a testament to his brilliance and impact on world football.
 

Why was he called the “Black Panther”?

The nickname “Black Panther” came from his electrifying playing style.

Whether on the dusty fields of Mozambique or the grand stages of world football, Eusébio the football player stood out for his explosive speed, immense strength, refined technique, and powerful shots — traits that made him a commanding presence on the pitch, reminiscent of a panther: agile, fierce, and elegant.
 

Do you accept the challenge to wear Eusébio’s legacy?

All tributes to this football icon are well-deserved, but some stand out for their symbolism.

The new official jersey, created through a partnership between PUMA and the Portuguese Football Federation, honors Eusébio with the historic federation crest (1914–1966) on the chest and the inscription “Black Panther” on the collar.

Featuring green, red, and gold accents on the cuffs and collar, and a light gold PUMA logo — the brand that accompanied Eusébio throughout his life — this jersey is more than apparel: it’s a tribute to a legend.

Eusébio? There’s only one.

Get the tribute jersey now and wear the legacy of Portuguese football.