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Eusebio honoured by Platini with president’s award

LISBON - Portugal’s greatest player Eusebio will be presented with the UEFA’s President’s Award for his outstanding contribution to European soccer by president Michel Platini on Tuesday.

Platini will make the presentation to Eusebio, 68, before the Europe League Round of 32 match between Benfica and Hertha Berlin at the Luz Stadium.

A statement from Platini before the presentation said: ‘It is a great privilege for me to present the UEFA President’s Award to Eusebio, one of the all-time greatest goalscorers and ambassadors for the game of football.

‘Eusebio is a giant in our sport, and the values such as self-abnegation, fair play and respect, conveyed throughout his successful career both on and off the pitch, have made him a fine example for future generations.’

Eusebio, who was born in Mozambique, played for Sporting Lourenco Marques (1957-60) and Benfica from 1960-75 where he enjoyed his greatest successes and scored 473 goals in 440 matches in all competitions.

He also played for various U.S and Portuguese sides before retiring in 1978, as well as making 64 appearances for Portugal, scoring 41 goals.

Eusebio was voted European Footballer of the Year in 1965, and was the top scorer in the 1966 World Cup with nine goals. He won the European Cup with Benfica in 1962, and scored 59 goals in 78 European matches.

He follows his great rivals Alfredo di Stefano of Real Madrid (2008) and Bobby Charlton of Manchester United (2009) as winners of the award since Platini became UEFA president in 2007.