Eusebio made his name in Portugal as a notorious goalscorer for club Benfica. A total of 317 goals in 317 league appearances is a massive tally and just a fantastic score rate, few or almost no one have a chance to reach in modern football. He also shined in the 1966 World Cup, winning Bronze with Portugal. He played 64 times for his nation, scoring 41 goals.
He dominated during his time with Benfica, winning the domestic league 11 times. European Cup winner in 1961-62, and ending runners-up twice, in 1962-63 and 1967-68. He was one of the major names of European soccer during the 60’s and early 70’s, as we look up his latter years as a player, turning out for NASL teams such as Boston Minutemen, Toronto Metros-Croatia and Las Vegas Quicksilvers. He also had spells at New Jersey Americans and Buffalo Stallions.
His most successful season in the NASL was in 1976 with Toronto Metros-Croatia. He scored the opening goal in their 3–0 victory at the Soccer Bowl ’76 to win the NASL title.
Pelè was much more noticed as he joined NASL in 1975, while Eusebio never really became the name to call for attention, despite being such a major star in European football, as well as part of the winning formula and captaining his team in the final.
Toronto Metros-Croatia had a super trio in Eusebio, Brazilian attacker Ivair and German midfielder Wolfgang Suhnholz. Ivair was a star forward with a past at top Brazilian clubs such as Fluminense and Corinthians. Suhnholz had prior to his NASL career played for Bayern Munich.
Suhnholz and Eusebio both arrived form Boston Minutemen, having an exciting team in these early years also having Brian Clough’s first signing for Nottingham Forest, Bert Bowery up front. The season after Eusebio moved on the represent Las Vegas Quicksilvers. He played 17 games and scored 2 goals for The Quicksilvers. Suhnholz had aslo been drafter together with Eusebio, also having Wales international and English league legend Trevor Hockey in the camp.
Can you imagine, having Trevor Hockey and Eusebio in the same line-up, would have given high odds back in the 60’s, with Hockey having a nomadic life around different football club in England.
Eusebio had knee problems in latter playing years, but had a desire to continue, also having a spell in Mexico with Monterrey, also turning out for Portuguese lower tier teams Beira-Mar and Unioa de Tomar.
Eusebio left Las Vegas to join New Jersey Americans and finished his career playing a final season at Buffalo Stallions in indoor soccer.
To look up Eusebio’s career gives a deep dive into a very fascinating story, playing alongside two players that in itself had special careers in football. NASL and American soccer has made some interesting connections in the game, few would believe in real was possible.
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