Summary
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.
Everton fans wandering the streets outside Goodison Park. Related
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Eusebio Named Goodison Park As Best Stadium In His Career
He loved his World Cup experience on Merseyside
Goodison Park
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. Watch the full match highlights below:
He would score again in the semi-final against England, but it proved to be just a late consolation as a brace from Bobby Charlton helped the Three Lions on their way to their only major honour.
What Makes Goodison Park So Iconic
It has been the home of Everton for 133 years
Eusebio may be one of the only foreign players to hail Goodison Park as one of the best stadiums of all time - but not even for the usual reasons cited by everyday English football fans when naming Britain’s most iconic football cathedrals. A crucible of footballing tradition and passion, the 39,572-seater venue has witnessed it all across 133 dramatic, thunderous years, and drama has never evaded its grip.
The Toffees are Liverpool’s original football club, and after surrendering Anfield to their burgeoning rivals at the end of the 19th century, they now hold the unique distinction of having called all three major Merseyside stadiums home - past, present, and soon-to-be. As Everton prepare to move into the sleek, modern Bramley-Moore Dock Stadium, it's Goodison that remains the beating heart of their blue-blooded history.
Through three golden eras - the 1930s, 1960s, and 1980s - Everton stood atop English football, rubbing shoulders with their neighbours as Merseyside reigned supreme. From that storied past comes a proud tally: nine league titles, five FA Cups, and a UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup - all born within or echoed through the fabled bowels of Goodison.
Of course, recent decades haven’t been as kind. The club now finds itself in the throes of a 29-year trophy drought, financially unsteady, and frequently flirting with the drop. Yet with the return of David Moyes at the dawn of the 2024/25 season, and fresh leadership injected by Texas-based owners, the Friedkin Group, the mood has started to shift, the Grand Old Lady, as ever, still rocks and shudders on matchdays, no matter the fortunes (or lack thereof) on the pitch.
Best of all, the stadium’s soul won’t be shuttered or demolished. In a touching twist of fate, Everton Women will inherit Goodison, keeping its gates open and its history alive. While the men move across the Mersey's edge, the old home will remain nestled on the north side of Stanley Park - a living monument to Everton’s glory, grit, and graft through the ages.