The world of soccer lost one of its legends today as Portuguese superstar Eusebio succumbed to heart failure.
Many of the biggest figures in the sport reached out to the community to express their feelings of loss and also their appreciation for all he brought to soccer fans and players.
Here is a snippet of the reactions from around the world to the passing of The Black Panther:
Football has lost a legend. But Eusebio’s place among the greats will never be taken away. http://t.co/HZZ0Pjrqk7 pic.twitter.com/MOuoggyA2q
— Joseph S Blatter (@SeppBlatter) January 5, 2014
Eusebio was a football & FIFA ambassador. He’ll be sorely missed. Rest in peace Black Panther. http://t.co/NBaldFohkv pic.twitter.com/ejC1W0QgLB
— Joseph S Blatter (@SeppBlatter) January 5, 2014
Always eternal #Eusebio, rest in peace pic.twitter.com/n25X0q9rfF
— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) January 5, 2014
The Portuguese Football Federation announced this morning that all upcoming matches will observe a moment of silence prior to kickoff in his memory. They issued a statement saying, “Portugal is mourning. Eusébio, the King of Portugal’s 1966 team and the eternal symbol of the country, national team and Benfica passed away.”
Sad news that Eusebio has died. One of the greats of his generation. Could play and strike a ball like very few others. #RIP
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) January 5, 2014
Former president of Mozambique (Eusebio’s birthplace) and childhood friend of his Joaquim Chissiano said, “It was with much regret that I received this news. I lost a friend. When we were young we played together, played football together. I was almost one of the family. Portuguese football lost one of its landmarks, linking football to Mozambique and Portugal. Eusebio was a pride for the people of Mozambique. Through sport, Eusebio was one of the ambassadors of Mozambique. His achievements will endure.”
