Only a select few players have left such an indelible mark on the sport that they merit a specially crafted international kit, and Portugal has decided to honor the late, great striker Eusébio with a remarkable tribute following his passing in 2014.
Known as the “Pantera Negra” (Black Panther), Eusébio symbolized the Portugal national team during the 1960s and early ’70s. His legacy extends beyond his national contributions to Benfica, where he led the club to 11 league titles, numerous domestic cups, and European Cup glory in the 1961-62 season, scoring in a thrilling 5-3 final against Real Madrid in Amsterdam.
Eusébio was celebrated for his elegant style, athleticism, creativity, and remarkable goal-scoring prowess, netting over 700 goals throughout his career. Among these, he scored 41 times in just 64 appearances for the Seleção, a record that remained unbroken for decades until it was surpassed by Pauleta and later, Cristiano Ronaldo.
– Discover the most stylish soccer kits: The best jerseys you’ve probably missed
– Cristiano Ronaldo’s quest for 1,000 goals: What’s next?
– Track Ronaldo’s journey to 1,000 career goals
Portugal’s captain Ronaldo, the all-time leading scorer in men’s international football with 143 goals, achieved his 400th career goal just three days following Eusébio’s death on January 5, 2014. At that time, he remarked, “The goals are for Eusébio. I was very close to him and he supported me greatly.”
In celebration of the 60th anniversary of Eusébio’s historic Ballon d’Or win in 1965, Puma has crafted a tribute kit for Portugal’s national team. This design was created in collaboration with Eusébio’s family, receiving heartfelt approval from his wife, Flora Bruheim, who expressed feeling “deeply moved” by the homage, stating Eusébio would be “very happy” with this recognition of his lasting legacy.
The jersey features a black base adorned with minimal yet elegant gold trim, evoking a regal vibe fitting for a player known as “O Rei” (“The King”), a title he shared with Brazilian legend Pelé.
The fabric is detailed with a subtle repeating shield pattern, displaying the crest used by the Portuguese Football Federation from 1914 to 1966, the year Eusébio and his teammates claimed third place at the FIFA World Cup in England.
The authentic replica of this limited-edition kit will be restricted to 1,965 pieces and will prominently display Eusébio’s iconic No. 13 in gold on the back. The full kit will be officially worn by Portugal’s national team during their World Cup qualifier against Armenia in Porto on November 16.