The aura of Cristiano Ronaldo for Portugal’s national team is unmatched. The former Manchester United star is the highest International scorer across the globe representing his national team with 128 goals from 205 games. Since making his debut in 2003, Ronaldo has led Portugal to their first-ever European Championship title in 2016, as well as the inaugural UEFA Nations League trophy in 2019.
People have often regarded Portugal as an average side before Cristiano Ronaldo came into the spotlights. However, it would be unfair to say that the team was ‘nothing’ before Ronaldo. Portugal has produced quite a few players who went on to achieve legendary status during their careers. Players like Eusebio, Luis Figo, Pauleta, Deco, and Paulo Futre were all regarded stars during their era.
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The early 1960’s saw the growth of Portugal’s national team under Eusebio. If we talk of Eusebio, he was the one who made his nation dream during the 1966 World Cups, previously known as The Jules Rimmet trophy. That was the only World Cup where Portugal came in third place just behind Germany and champions England. During the 1966 World Cup, Eusebio played 6 games scored 9 goals, and provided his side with one assist.
Eusebio is the third-highest goalscorer for his nation to date followed by Ronaldo and Pauleta with 41 goals. He went on to become a Benfica legend, after clinching 11 league titles and 5 domestic cups and 1 European Champions Clubs’ cup winner.
Eusebio also has personal accolades under his belt having won the prestigious Ballon d’Or back in 1965. He was also the 2 times ‘Footballer of the Year’.
Bernardo Silva’s bold choice between Cristiano Ronaldo and Eusebio
What has been an age-old debate to pick between a country’s two greats, Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva recently had to choose between Cristiano Ronaldo and Eusebio.
Silva coming up from the ranks of Benfica’s youth system has been an ardent Benfica fan for years. In fact, it goes without saying that Benfica has always been the boyhood club for the midfield maestro.
When asked to choose between Ronaldo and Eusebio, Bernardo Silva struggled to balance his admiration for Cristiano Ronaldo’s undeniable greatness with his loyalty to Eusebio and Benfica.
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Silva regarded Ronaldo as the best player his country has ever produced. He stated, “Cristiano is the best Portuguese player ever but Eusebio is from my team, he has a statue on the surroundings of my stadium, I cannot answer that, sorry guys.”
Like Silva, many Portugal players regard Ronaldo as the greatest ever to grace the field for Portugal. However, Eusebio’s contributions to Portugal’s National team can’t be forgotten.