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Ronaldo can be the best in the world, says Eusebio
(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-06-13 10:25 VIENNA - Eusebio has spent 40 years as the most recognisable face of Portuguese soccer but he is more than happy to hand over the honour to Cristiano Ronaldo, who he says is on the verge of becoming the best player in the world.
Eusebio, the Black Pearl, was the driving force behind Benfica's rise to the peak of European soccer in the 1960s and almost single-handedly dragged Portugal to the semi-finals of the 1966 World Cup with a remarkable nine-goal tally. His impressive international goal return of 41 in 64 matches was overtaken only three years ago by Pauleta. Although Luis Figo and his "Golden Generation" have taken the country back to the top echelon, it is the arrival of Ronaldo that has got his pulse racing. "Ronaldo has nothing to prove to anyone, he has proved his talent by being the top scorer in England," Eusebio told Reuters in an interview on Thursday. "He has proved it by winning the Premier League, by winning the Champions League, with Manchester United. "Now he is here in the national team but it is different. He is part of the group, it's not Cristiano plus 10, it's not about him, it's about the team of 11 players. "That group mentality is good and good for him. He can concentrate on the football and it helps keep his feet on the ground. "He can become the best player in the world," added the man crowned Europe's best in 1965. Eusebio said he had been delighted by Portugal's early form in Euro 2008, where they have already won their group after impressive victories over Turkey and Czech Republic but warned that they are by no means the finished article. "I'm very happy with what I've seen, as is everyone in Portugal," he said. "Those first two games were very important and now they can look forward. "But I wouldn't say they are among the favourites. They remain Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, even Spain, the usual teams, but Portugal are not there yet. "They are on the right track and have passed the first objective and now it all depends. "A couple of good games brings the team up, brings the country together and they could be in the final." Eusebio's Portugal went agonisingly close to the final in 1966 on their World Cup debut. In the quarter-finals his four-goal haul helped them to one of the competition's most famous comebacks when Portugal beat North Korea 5-3 after trailing 3-0. Their run ended with a 2-1 semi-final defeat by eventual winners England at Wembley, when his driving runs and fearsome shooting were shackled by the relentless attentions of midfielder Nobby Stiles and some harsh refereeing. He was to taste defeat there again two years later when Manchester United beat his Benfica side in the European Cup final -- one of three final losses in six years -- but in defeat he made some friends for life. "Not many people know this but my team in England is Manchester United," said the 66-year-old. "Bobby Charlton, Denis Law, George Best, all great players. "We created a bond when we played each other and I still speak to Bob from time to time, though I can't get used to calling him 'Sir Bobby'." Asked to compare his era with today's game, Eusebio's beaming grin emerged again. "It makes me laugh when I get asked about this," he said. "People say it's faster now but Pele was pretty fast, Johan Cruyff was fast, I think I was pretty fast. "Lots of things have changed -- TV calls the shots now and there is obviously much more money for the players and that's a good thing. "But football was very rough in those days and there was a hardness to the players. "I will always defend 1960s football. Nowadays you can count on one hand the number of great players but back then there were a hell of a lot of great players." |
