Renowned Brazilian football figure Mario Zagallo, who achieved success in winning four World Cups both as a player and coach, has passed away at the age of 92.
Zagallo, a winger for the Brazil team that secured consecutive World Cup victories in 1958 and 1962, playing in both finals, went on to manage what is widely considered the greatest international team of all time.
This team, featuring legends such as Pele, Jairzinho, and Carlos Alberto, clinched victory in the 1970 World Cup.
In 1994, Zagallo achieved his final World Cup triumph as the assistant coach to Carlos Alberto Parreira.
Following the tournament, he returned as Brazil’s manager, guiding them to the final in 1998, where they were defeated by hosts France.
Zagallo holds the distinction of being the first individual to win the World Cup both as a player and a manager, a feat later matched by Germany’s Franz Beckenbauer and France’s Didier Deschamps.
“With enormous sadness, we inform you of the death of our eternal four-time world champion Mario Jorge Lobo Zagallo,” a statement on his official Instagram account said.
“A devoted father, loving grandfather, caring father-in-law, faithful friend, victorious professional and a great human being. Giant idol. A patriot who leaves us a legacy of great achievements.”
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said Zagallo was “one of the greatest football players and coaches of all time”.
“Zagallo was an example of a Brazilian who never gave up,” he added on X (formerly Twitter).
“It is this lesson and spirit of affection, love, dedication and overcoming that he leaves for our entire country and for world football.”
Key figure in Brazil’s decorated history
Brazil, boasting five World Cup titles, holds the pinnacle of success in the tournament, and Zagallo stands out as one of the key figures in that storied history.
During his teenage years while on national service, he was among the nearly 200,000 spectators at the Maracana Stadium who witnessed the shocking upset as hosts Brazil were defeated by Uruguay in the decisive final match of the 1950 World Cup.
Speaking to BBC Sport in 2013, Zagallo said: “That day has never left my mind.”
He earned his debut for Brazil at the age of 26, just before the 1958 tournament. Zagallo emerged as a pivotal player in the squad that helped ease the pain of Brazil’s 1950 defeat. At 17, Pele inspired the Selecao to victory over Sweden in the final, and Zagallo contributed with the fourth goal in a 5-2 triumph.
Zagallo held the distinction of being the last surviving member of Brazil’s 1958 World Cup-winning team who played in the final.
In the 1962 World Cup, with Pele sidelined early on, Zagallo once again played a crucial role. Notably, he contributed defensively in an era where forwards rarely did so, as Brazil emerged victorious against Czechoslovakia in the final.
Having played for America, Flamengo, and Botafogo in domestic competitions, Zagallo retired in 1965, earning 33 caps for his country.
His managerial journey commenced at Botafogo, and at the age of 38, he took over from Joao Saldanha as Brazil’s coach shortly before the 1970 World Cup in Mexico.
Known for his tactical acumen and nicknamed ‘The Professor’ and ‘Old Wolf,’ Zagallo orchestrated a team brimming with attacking talents such as Pele, Jairzinho, Gerson, Tostao, and Rivellino, creating an irresistible force.
Brazil secured victory in all six of their matches, culminating in a 4-1 triumph over Italy in the final. Zagallo continued as the coach for Brazil in the 1974 World Cup in West Germany, where the team finished in fourth place.
Subsequently, he managed various Brazilian clubs and national teams, including stints with Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Notably, he played a pivotal role in guiding the UAE to qualify for their inaugural World Cup in 1990. Zagallo later returned to the Brazilian national team as a coordinator in Parreira’s coaching setup leading up to the 1994 World Cup.
Brazil clinched their fourth World Cup title and their first since 1970, overcoming Italy in a penalty shootout in the final held in the United States.
‘Idol of Brazilian football’
Zagallo’s team entered the 1998 tournament as favorites but suffered a 3-0 defeat in the final against France. The star striker, Ronaldo, experienced a mysterious fit on the day of the game.
Brazil secured their fifth title in Japan and South Korea in 2002 under the management of Luiz Felipe Scolari, with Zagallo participating in the tournament as a special adviser. He later returned as an assistant to Parreira in 2006, a campaign that ended with Brazil being eliminated by France in the quarter-finals, after which he retired.
In 2012, Zagallo’s wife of 57 years, Alcina de Castro, passed away. The couple had four children.
Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) president Ednaldo Rodrigues said: “The CBF and Brazilian football mourn the death of one of its legends.
“The CBF offers solidarity to his family and fans in this moment of sadness at the departure of this idol of our football.”
Fifa president Gianni Infantino said Zagallo’s “influence on football, and Brazilian football in particular, is supreme”.
“In times of need, Brazil has looked to ‘The Professor’ as a calming presence, a steering hand and as a tactical genius,” added Infantino.
“He will be remembered as the godfather of Brazilian football and his presence will be sorely missed by everyone in the game but especially here at Fifa.”