Rangers legend Willie Henderson and Benfica icon Eusebio are as unlikely a partnership as you might think to find.
But despite being worlds – and languages – apart, the two struck up a close friendship which originated in the 1960s and went all the way to the Portuguese legend’s death in 2014.
As Rangers prepare to face off against Benfica in the Europa League we look back at the friendship and how a boy from Baillieston wound up pals with one of the greatest footballers of all time.
The story of Willie Henderson and Eusebio
Eusebio, who was born in the former Portuguese colony of Mozambique, is regarded as one of Portugal and Benfica’s greatest ever players.
More so, the legendary striker is considered one of the greatest 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 clash 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 fortunate 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 speak any Portuguese and he knew just a little English, but we managed to strike up a friendship that day, went for a night out together after the match and remained close friends.”
Rangers legend hails Benfica counterpart
Over the years, Willie Henderson and Eusebio would link up for a variety of matches and functions. Each time their friendship shone through.
Benfica traveled to Ibrox for a friendly match against Rangers in 1965, a match which Henderson claims was one of the best of his career, whilst the the former Scotland international played for a rest Rest of Europe team in Mario Coluna’s testimonial.
The Benfica legend had lifted two European Cups, including one alongside Eusebio, in the legendary Benfica team of the early 60s.
Finally, the two met on Willie Henderson’s final match for Scotland with Eusebio gifting the Rangers legend a signed match worn jersey, which Henderson claims “remains one of my most treasured possessions”.
Following the Benfica icon’s passing, the Rangers legend took the opportunity to praise his old friend and claims that at one point, he very much might’ve been the best player on the planet.
“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.”
