The story of how Rangers and Benfica luminaries struck up unlikeliest of friendships.
Rangers hero Willie Henderson and Benfica icon Eusebio are as unusual a partnership as you might suppose to find.
But despite being worlds – and languages – away, the two struck up a deep connection which begun in the 1960s and went all the way to the Portuguese legend’s death in 2014.
As Rangers prepare to face battle against Benfica in the Europa League we look back at the friendship and how a child from Baillieston wound up pals with one of the greatest footballers of all time.
The narrative of Willie Henderson and Eusebio.
Eusebio, who was born in the former Portuguese province of Mozambique, is recognized as one of Portugal and Benfica’s finest ever players.
More so, the iconic striker is considered one of the finest to ever play the game and his name is one which will ring out throughout football history.
Legendary former Ibrox winger Willie Henderson wasn’t too shabby a player himself, and the two met in a Rest of World friendly battle against Denmark in Copenhagen.
“Our friendship began in 1964,” Henderson told the Scotsman in 2014. “The German manager, Helmut Schoen, picked a Rest of the World team to play in a match against Denmark in Copenhagen. My Rangers clubmate Jim Baxter and I were both lucky enough to be chosen for the squad.
“After checking into our hotel, we went in for lunch and I found myself sitting next to Eusebio. Of course, I knew who he was, but had never met him. I didn’t know any Portuguese and he knew only a little English, but we managed to strike up a bond that day, went for a night out together after the match and stayed good friends.”
Rangers legend greets Benfica counterpart
Over the years, Willie Henderson and Eusebio would hook up for a variety of contests and activities. Each time their camaraderie shone through.
Benfica flew to Ibrox for a friendly match against Rangers in 1965, a match which Henderson feels was one of the highlights of his career, whereas the the former Scotland international played for a whole whole of Europe squad in Mario Coluna’s testimonial.
The Benfica legend had captured two European Cups, including one alongside Eusebio, on the legendary Benfica team of the early 60s.
Finally, the two reunited for Willie Henderson’s final match for Scotland with Eusebio presenting the Rangers veteran a signed match worn jersey, which Henderson believes “remains one of my most treasured possessions”.
Following the Benfica icon’s departure, the Rangers veteran took the chance to honor his old friend and argues that at one point, he very much might’ve been the best player on the globe.
“He played at a time when Pele was the best player in the world,” said Henderson. “But for a wee stage, I think Eusebio might just have held that mantle himself.
“Most of all I remember him for being a really nice guy.
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