Manchester United head coach Rúben Amorim has weighed in on the debate about Portugal’s greatest-ever footballer, suggesting that Benfica legend Eusébio was on par with Cristiano Ronaldo.
Eusébio, nicknamed O Rei (The King), is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time. The Mozambican-born forward enjoyed a prolific career with Benfica, scoring 473 goals in 440 appearances across all competitions. His goal-scoring prowess helped Benfica dominate Portuguese football, winning 11 Primeira Liga titles, five Taça de Portugal trophies, and the 1961–62 European Cup.
Eusébio’s impact extended beyond club football. He spearheaded Portugal’s run to a third-place finish in the 1966 FIFA World Cup, finishing as the tournament’s top scorer with nine goals. His performances, including a legendary four-goal display against North Korea in the quarter-finals, cemented his status as a footballing icon.
Cristiano Ronaldo, on the other hand, is a modern great who has redefined football’s goal-scoring standards. The Portuguese superstar has scored 925 career goals and provided 257 assists in 1,266 games, making him the most prolific scorer in men’s international football with 135 goals in 217 appearances for Portugal. He led his nation to their first major international trophy, winning Euro 2016, and followed it up with the 2019 UEFA Nations League title.
Despite his admiration for Eusébio, Amorim stated that Cristiano Ronaldo remains the best player he has personally witnessed. Speaking to TNT Sports, the Portuguese coach said:
“That is a problem! Eusébio was amazing. I didn’t see Eusébio, so the best that I’ve seen was Cristiano, [but] I think Eusébio is there with him.”
Ronaldo, currently playing for Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, has been in exceptional form this season, scoring 25 goals and providing four assists in 30 appearances across all competitions. However, with his contract expiring this summer, speculation surrounds the next step in his legendary career.
The debate over Portugal’s greatest-ever footballer will always be subjective, but Eusébio’s legacy and Ronaldo’s dominance ensure both remain immortal in football history.
