( CNN ) -- Portugal football legend Eusebio , who was top scorer at the 1966 World Cup , died at the age of 71 , his former club Benfica said Sunday . He died from a heart attack , the Lisbon side said on its website . The striker , affectionately known as the `` Black Panther , '' was admired throughout the Portuguese-speaking world and was thought to be among the sport 's greatest players . `` Always eternal # Eusebio , rest in peace , '' Real Madrid forward and current Portugal icon Cristiano Ronaldo tweeted alongside a picture of both men together . Portugal 's former world player of the year , Luis Figo , tweeted that Eusebio was the `` king '' while Brazil 's Pele , considered by many to be the best footballer of all time , tweeted that Eusebio was like a `` brother '' to him . `` May God receive him with open arms , '' said Pele . Eusebio , whose full name was Eusebio da Silva Ferreira , played for three North American Soccer League teams in the twilight of his career but is best known for his exploits in 15 years at Benfica . Born in 1942 in Mozambique , which was then a Portuguese territory , he scored 41 goals in 64 appearances for his adopted country . Named European Footballer of the Year in 1965 , Eusebio won widespread acclaim the following year at the World Cup in England . He scored nine goals in the competition , helping his team reach the semifinals . World Cup scorer . He scored two goals as Portugal eliminated defending champions Brazil in the group stage , then netted four times in an incredible quarterfinal comeback against North Korea as his side rallied from 3-0 down to win 5-3 in one of the tournament 's most famous matches . Eusebio scored again in the semifinals against England , but the hosts won 2-1 before beating Germany in the final . `` His talent brought joy for entire generations , even those who did n't live through the most glorious moments of his career , '' Portuguese President Anibal Cavaco Silva told Portuguese television . World football body FIFA said Eusebio was considered `` one of the best footballers of all time and best ever from Portugal . '' `` Football has lost a legend , '' FIFA president Sepp Blatter tweeted as the tributes continued . `` But Eusebio 's place among the greats will never be taken away . '' Added UEFA president Michel Platini : `` On the field , Eusebio was a true legend , both in the colors of Portugal and Benfica , '' he told UEFA 's website . `` But also off it , he was a true ambassador for Portuguese football on the international stage . He was more than a footballer . A good and charming man , Eusebio will be sadly missed . '' During his career with Benfica , the Lisbon side won the European Cup in 1962 . He scored 733 times in 745 professional matches , according to FIFA . He won 10 league titles and five Portuguese cups with the Eagles and was Portugal 's top league scorer between 1964 and 1973 . `` We 're saddened to hear Benfica legend Eusebio has passed away , '' tweeted Manchester United . `` He was a fantastic player and a friend of the club . '' People we lost in 2014 . Editors ' Note : This article has been edited to remove plagiarized content after CNN discovered multiple instances of plagiarism by Marie-Louise Gumuchian , a former CNN news editor .
Eusebio , 71 , died from a heart attack , former club says . The striker was considered one of the sport 's greatest players . Eusebio was top scorer at 1966 World Cup . Comment: