JEFF POWELL: Eusebio is still considered greater than Ronaldo in Portugal - the Black Pearl was Europe's Pele on the pitch and his country's answer to Best in the bar



One measure of the genius of Eusebio the footballer is that in Portugal he is still considered greater than Cristiano Ronaldo.



A million measures of the affection in which Eusebio the gentleman is held around the world comes with the glasses of whiskey now being raised to his memory.



The passing of the Black Pearl is a cause for sadness and fond reflection, in equal measure. At 71, he has died young by modern standards.



In black and white: Eusebio is still considered greater than Cristiano Ronaldo in Portugal, and right, the Portugal legend in earnest conversation with George Best and Bobby Charlton during the 1968 European Cup final



Yet Eusebio was content to have lived to the brim-full a life as lusty as the way he played the beautiful game. This was Europe's Pele on the pitch, his country's answer to George Best in the bar.



The first time I met Eusebio was at a his reunion with Bobby Moore not long after the 1966 World Cup Finals, in which he was top scorer with nine goals despite Portugal losing to England in the semi-final.



As Bobby and I ordered a beer each he grinned, wagged his finger at us and placed a bottle of Scotch and three glasses on the bar-top. We reminisced long into the night.

Legends of the game: Eusebio was Europe's answer to Brazilian great Pele on the football pitch

Picture that: The 'Black Pearl' shares a drink with George Best in 2004 and right, attending the Eusebio Cup



After a similar encounter with him and Best a few years after the 1968 European Cup final, in which he scored a penalty only for Benfica to lose to Manchester United. George paid his ultimate compliment: 'Boy, can he drink.'



It was a thrill to watch Eusebio play. It was a delight to share his company. He will be mourned as deeply, but remembered as warmly, in some quarters of Manchester as in Lisbon.

Nobby Stiles was assigned by England manager Alf Ramsey to neutralise him in that World Cup semi-final. Our gap-toothed terrier stuck successfully to his task through most of the 90 minutes.



Yet it still required comparable genius from United's Bobby Charlton to score the two goals which held off Portugal despite Eusebio's late penalty. What England were then to achieve, in the final against West Germany, is writ large in the folklore of our national game.



In black and white: Eusebio leaps highest to score against Brazil in the 1966 World Cup at Goodison Park

Dejected: Eusebio has to be consoled after Portugal are eliminated by England in the 1966 semi-final

Eusebio went on to complete his nine-goal haul – four of which had come in an eight-goal thriller against North Korea – as Portugal claimed third place with victory over the Soviet Union.



Stiles, Charlton and United were pitted against Eusebio and Benfica two years later, again at Wembley. With the score level at 1-1 in the closing minutes Eusebio should have won it for the Portuguese when clean through. Instead of tucking the ball into the net he let fly – with typical flamboyance but with his shot at a height which made it possible for Alex Stepney to pull off a spectacular save.



Charlton, who had put United ahead, scored again in extra-time as did Best in what became a 4-1 triumph. Portugal have still not won the World Cup.



Although they will be a threat in Brazil this summer given the presence of Ronaldo, who has paid touching tribute to his predecessor: 'Always eternal, Eusebio. Rest in peace.'

Touching tribute: Ronaldo described his Portugal predecessor as 'always eternal' after his death on Sunday



United they stand: Sir Bobby Charlton and Eusebio together at the Soccerex European Forum last year

Eusebio was in tears as he left the Wembley field all those years ago, yet never allowed regrets to cloud his memories. Not even for the theatrical gesture against United? 'No,' he always said. 'It is the way you play the game which defines you.'



Eusebio played football in the grand manner, full of strength and skill, power and imagination, speed and light. In the way which won made him European Footballer of the Year, as well as Europe's top goalscorer several times over.



Romance, not statistics, were the name of his game but these numbers support his claim to be one of the greatest of all time:



473 goals in 440 matches for Benfica, two of them in the sensational 5-3 victory in the 1962 European Cup Final which punctuated Real Madrid's domination; 41 goals in 64 games for Portugal, including those nine in England in 1966.



Back of the net: Eusebio played football in the grand manner, full of strength, skill power and imagination

Not bad for a boy born to poverty in the old Portuguese colony of Mozambique, a lad brought up to kick a ball with his bare feet.



The last time I met Eusebio was at a world football conference, when we shared a platform with Charlton. Their respect and affection for each shone through a rainy day. We chuckled at how he once helped cut the cake at a birthday party for my young son, then slipped him a whiskey behind his mother's back.



When I hurried into the office some hours ago to write this tribute, there was a near-empty bottle of Scotch standing on the top of a cupboard. Of course it was left over from New Year celebrations but it seemed like a farewell message from a wonderful man.



The drink, like England and Manchester United, beat him in the end. But not without a magnificent fight, one replete with glorious memories and good times.





