Late Portugal legend Eusebio gets perfect send off at Benfica's Luz stadium

A funeral ceremony is being held for the legendary Portuguese footballer Eusebio at the Benfica’s Luz stadium on January 6, 2014 in in Lisbon, Portugal.

January 5, 2014 was the day when Portugal and the world lost one of the legends of football. Eusebio da Silva Ferreira, nicknamed the Black Panther, is still regarded as the greatest football player to have dawned the colours of Portugal.

The 71-year-old, who succumbed to a heart failure, recieved one of the most iconic send off’s in the history of the game. The fans at Benfica poured in to pay homage to one of their favorite sons, where he spent the best part of 15 years making a name for himself.

The coffin of the Mozambique born Portuguese was taken around the pitch at the Luz stadium for supporters to bid their final farewell.

The 1965 European footballer of the year and European Cup winner, scored a staggering 733 goals in 745 competitive games, of which 41 came for his national side, Portugal.

Brazilian Pele, who is arguably the greatest footballer to have ever played the game, took to social media to pay his condolences.

“I mourn the loss of my brother Eusebio. We became friends at the 1966 World Cup in England. We last met at the recent game between Brazil and Portugal in Boston.”   Pele said on Twitter.

German legend Franz Beckenbauer also paid tribute.

He said, “One of the greatest football players ever has passed away. My friend Eusebio died last night. My thoughts are with his family.”

In 2004, Eusebio was voted the seventh best European footballer ever, in a poll for Uefa’s Golden Jubilee celebrations.