Lisbon: Former Portugal and Benfica star Eusebio has been hospitalized after displaying early symptoms of pneumonia.
The Portuguese club said in a brief statement on its website on Wednesday that Eusebio has been admitted to Lisbon's Hospital da Luz for treatment, but gave no further details.
The Portuguese Football Federation said it had no official information.
Doctors say Eusebio is likely to stay in a hospital over Christmas after being diagnosed with double pneumonia.
Joao Sa, head of the intensive care unit at Lisbon's Hospital da Luz, said late Wednesday that doctors are optimistic about Eusebio's chances of a full recovery.
Jose Roquette, a clinical director at Lisbon's Hospital da Luz, said Eusebio was in stable condition despite being admitted on Wednesday with an infection in both lungs.
"He's eating well," Roquette told reporters. "He had a good night."
Doctors treating Eusebio, who turns 70 next month, said they are optimistic about his chances of a full recovery, though the illness requires close monitoring and he will undergo treatment for several more days.
Eusebio da Silva Ferreira, who was born in Mozambique when it was still a Portuguese colony, became a national icon after his powerful performances in the 1960s for Benfica and the Portuguese national team. He was named one of the 10 best football players of all time by FIFA in 1998, and may be best known for his performances at the 1966 World Cup, where he scored four goals in the quarterfinals to help Portugal overcome a 3-0 deficit against North Korea to win 5-3.
However, he left the field in tears after Portugal lost to eventual champions England in the semifinals, but still finished as the tournament's topscorer with nine goals.
Eusebio scored 41 goals in 64 games for Portugal. He has since been a "soccer ambassador" for Benfica and Portugal.
Comments
0 comment