“We grant the honour of entering the National Pantheon to the mortal remains of Eusébio da Silva Ferreira, in honour of this national symbol, a man of solidarity and an exceptional footballer and sportsman and evoking his statute as a genuine landmark in globalising the image and importance of Portugal worldwide” read the motion backed by the ruling coalition Social Democrat and Popular Parties and the opposition parties, the Socialists, Communists, Left Block and Greens.
The motion also provided for the setting up of a working group in order to study the details and decide on the date of Eusébio’s inclusion into Portugal’s ranks of historical greats following his passing away approximately one year ago.