Portuguese Soccer Great Eusebio Is Dead at 71
LISBON, Portugal — Eusebio, the Portuguese soccer star who was born into poverty in Africa but became an international sporting icon and was voted one of the 10 best players of all time, has died at 71, his longtime club Benfica said.
He died Sunday, the club announced on its website, without providing details.
Eusebio died at home of heart failure, his biographer, Jose Malheiro, said. “His health was very poor,” Malheiro told reporters. Eusebio was admitted to hospital several times over the last year for the treatment of heart and respiratory problems.
Officials at Benfica and at the Portuguese Football Federation, where Eusebio was an ambassador, could not immediately be reached.
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/06/sports/soccer/portuguese-soccer-great-eusebio-is-dead-at-71.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0