Eusébio Cup – Tribute to a “King”

There is a new pre-season tournament in Portugal. It’s name Eusébio Cup.

The event is a tribute to the “King” Eusébio and will occur every year at the Estádio da Luz in Lisbon. On this first year, there will be only a single match, SL Benfica will face the FC Internazionale Milano.

Eusébio, who could have joined Angelo Moratti’s Inter in 1966 but the Italian football banned foreign players after the national team defeat against North Korea in the World Cup. In March Eusébio was a guest of Inter centenary celebrations at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza.

Eusébio also known as the “Black Panther” said to the Press:

“I was already honored for having a statue in the Estádio da Luz and now the creation of this tournament, exceeds all my expectations. I hope to live for many and long years, now I know for sure, that the future generations will remember me. I think that the Internazionale Milano team was well chosen, I played against them and I remember they wanted me playing on their side. Nowadays the Inter’s team has a great coach José Mourinho and we can’t forget Portuguese players like Figo and Pelé that also play there. I expect a good match and I hope the Trophy stays here at home.”

Eusébio da Silva Ferreira was born in 1943 in the Portuguese ex-colony Mozambique.

The city of Lourenço Marques (Maputo) watched the young Eusébio growing in the streets of Mafalala, playing football with any kind of ball he could found.

Eusébio tried to enter the Club “O Desportivo”, after playing in a kids team called “Os Brasileiros”, but they refused him. He wanted so much to play that decided to go to the rival team, Sporting Lourenço Marques where he was accepted.

This was just the beginning ….

After that, Benfica signed him and there he made his dreams and of all Benfica fans come true. All over the world the football lovers who saw him also in the Portuguese National Team were amazed with the player who became a legend.

An extraordinary player was born and the space for his trophies was never enough. Never enough will be also any tribute to the “Black Panther”.

Eusébio is the best Portuguese player of all times, being also between the 10 better players of the world.

João Manuel Vieira Pinto (19/08/1971) – Golden Kid Retires

The striker João Pinto that for 9 seasons represented SL Benfica, has decided now to retire at the age of 36.

João Pinto joined SL Benfica in 1992, winning the league title on the following season (1993/94), playing in the famous away victory 6-3 against Sporting Cp.

This great Player soon became Captain of the eagle’s team and made plenty of fantastic games scoring over 100 goals.

João Pinto enjoyed playing with the ball on his feet making the ball roll and wasn’t afraid of that responsibility. Also secure facing his opponents (on one to one) with wonderful dribbling skills. Very good on short and long pass. He also won 2 Portuguese Cups with the red shirt.

To the Press he said:

“I’ve offers from some Clubs but I think this is the perfect time to end my career. Now it’s time to rest and to enjoy watching my son Tiago playing. I also want to say thanks to my family and to all the Clubs I represented.”

João Pinto is considered by many as the most amazing Benfica player of that decade.

Armando Gonçalves Teixeira (25/09/1976) - Petit, the Pitbull

After 6 years the midfielder Petit decided to leave SL Benfica.

The player’s intention was to terminate his career playing on SL Benfica, but the opportunity to play on the German League, Bundesliga representing FC Köln, made him change his mind.

Petit is a fast and strong midfielder that can fit in any team. He is the kind of player who gives everything for his team and never gives up recovering a ball. Enormous contribute on the defensive job.

Petit helped SL Benfica winning the 2005 Portuguese league title.

To the Press he said:

“After 6 years wearing Benfica’s shirt and on a very happy moment of my life, I received an invitation from abroad that I couldn’t refuse. I talked with the Club and demonstrated to them my wish. I thank them for understanding my reasons and for letting me go. On this moment, I have a sensation of joy for my first experience abroad, but on the other side I feel a bit sad for leaving my Club and my team-mates. I would like to thank everybody and leave a message of optimism to the fans. Although I’m leaving Benfica I realize that is being done a very important job here and that in shortly the Club will be again where it belongs.”

Thank you Petit for the way you always gave everything for our team.