The medical director of the hospital where Eusebio is being treated for bronchial pneumonia admitted he can not say when the Portugal legend is likely to be released.

The 69-year-old is in the care of doctors at the Hospital da Luz in Lisbon, but his condition is not thought to be life-threatening.

Eusebio played for nine clubs in a 22-year professional career but it was at Benfica where he forged his reputation as one of the game’s greats, turning out for the club 614 times between 1960 and 1975 and scoring an astonishing 638 goals.

During his time at Benfica Eusebio won 11 Portuguese league titles, five Portuguese Cup titles and the European Cup in 1962.

Despite being born in Mozambique, Eusebio was eligible to play only for Portugal as his homeland was a dependency of the European nation. He scored 41 goals in 64 international appearances between 1961 and 1973, and finished as the top scorer at the 1966 World Cup in England.

The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) also wished Eusebio – who has been employed as an ambassador for the national team – a quick return to health.

‘On behalf of the Portuguese Football Federation we wish a speedy recovery to Eusebio and also to express that the whole Portuguese football family is behind him,’ a statement read.

‘Eusebio is a symbol of Portuguese football.

‘It will take a lot of strength to overcome this difficulty, but he has honoured Portugal for many years with his distinguished presence, including as ambassador of the national team.’