Portugal legend Eusebio dies aged 71

Former Portugal forward Eusebio has died at the age of 71, his former club Benfica have confirmed.

Nicknamed the Black Panther, Eusebio was regarded as one of the best players of all time and helped Portugal to third place at the 1966 World Cup, finishing as top scorer in the tournament with nine goals.

The Mozambique-born striker made his name at club level with Benfica, winning 11 league titles and two Golden Boot awards as Europe's leading goalscorer during a 15-year spell there.

He also notched 41 goals in 64 appearances for Portugal.

Eusebio was a torment to defenders because of his speed and technique, and scored an astonishing 317 goals in 301 appearances for Benfica, where he was a player between 1960 and 1975.

He then spent the twilight of his career in North America with spells at Boston Minutemen, Toronto Metros-Croatia, the Las Vegas Quicksilvers and New Jersey Americans until a series of knee injuries forced his retirement at the age of 37.

But it was his achievements with Benfica which made him a global star, with five national cup titles and a European Cup complimenting his list of league achievements.

Despite his prolific scoring record and international renown, his only appearance at a World Cup finals was in 1966 in England.