Eusebio Named 39k-Seater British Stadium as the Best in Football

 Eusebio named Goodison Park the best stadium in his career for his World Cup memories.

The Grand Old Lady is cherished for its tradition, passion, and Everton's historic achievements.

Despite Everton's recent struggles, the stadium's spirit lives on, now to be inherited by Everton Women.

Portuguese legend Eusebio once named a surprising British stadium as the finest he played in during his illustrious career. There are many factors that can make a football ground stand out - its electric atmosphere, impressive size, or striking architecture - but for the late, great Benfica hero of the 1960s, it was a place tied to his most treasured memories.

Still regarded as one of Portugal’s greatest-ever players, Eusebio never played for a British side in his illustrious 23-year career, which makes his choice all the more intriguing. Yet thanks to his adventures with Benfica and a national team that should have claimed a major honour during his voyage with them, he made the pilgrimage to football’s motherland more than once.

Goodison Park - soon to be consigned to memory as Everton prepare to swap its creaking charm for a modern fortress on the Bramley-Moore Dock - isn’t usually the kind of ground that steals the hearts of visiting stars. Rugged, raucous, and unapologetically old-school, it’s a stadium soaked in Merseyside spirit, cherished by locals as a sacred place of worship. And yet, curiously, it cast the very same spell on Eusebio.

Eusebio Named Goodison Park As Best Stadium In His Career

He loved his World Cup experience on Merseyside

Back in 1966, the rustic Goodison Park played host when Portugal faced North Korea in one of the most dramatic matches - and comebacks - in the labrythine history of the World Cup. Eusebio had fond memories of that tournament as he finished as the competition's top scorer with nine goals, six of which came at Goodison.

Upon returning to the ground in November 2009, when his old club defeated the Toffees 2-0 in a Europa League group game, he said, as per Liverpool Echo:

“Sorry, I don’t speak good English. But today for me, for my family, it’s a good day, for Benfica to play here. This stadium for me is the best stadium in my playing life.”

Eusebio, nicknamed the "Black Panther" because of his incredible speed, agility, and powerful playing style, struck three times in the group stage in 1966, opening his account in a 3-0 win over Bulgaria at Old Trafford before bagging a brace at Goodison in the 3-1 victory that knocked out holders Brazil.

It was his incredible four-goal display in Portugal’s 5-3 quarter-final comeback success against North Korea on July 23 that he’ll best be remembered for, though, as the blue divide of Stanley Park witnessed one of its most remarkable encounters. Their unknown opponents initially took a 3-0 lead, before Eusebio scored four goals - including two penalties - to help his slick side progress into the final four.