“The Black Panther” was the first and only player to receive the award while playing in Portugal.
This Saturday marks 60 years since Eusébio won the first and only Ballon d’Or of his career. The Benfica legend became, on September 27, 1965, the first Portuguese player to win this trophy.
The good fortune came after he finished second in the voting in 1962, following Benfica’s victory in the European Cup that same year. In the following years, Eusébio finished fifth and fourth in the voting, respectively.
He was then considered the best player by France Football magazine in 1965. The “Black Panther” was the first Portuguese player, and the only one to this day, to be awarded the prize while playing in Portugal. Figo and Cristiano Ronaldo won representing foreign clubs. The following year, 1966, Eusébio came in second, one point behind England’s Bobby Charlton.
