Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has declared three days of nationwide mourning for four-time World Cup-winning soccer legend Mario Zagallo, a day after his demise at age 92.
Zagallo, who performed alongside Pele in Brazil’s 1958 and 1962 World Cup-winning groups and later received the trophy as a coach, died on Friday of a number of organ failure, stated the Barra D’Or Hospital in Rio de Janeiro, the place he had been handled for a sequence of well being issues in current months.
Lula led a flood of tributes to the person generally known as the “Previous Wolf”, who coached Brazil’s 1970 World Cup-winning aspect starring Pele – thought of by many the best workforce in historical past – and served as assistant coach when the “Selecao” repeated the feat in 1994.
The primary particular person to win the World Cup as each a supervisor and as a participant. 🏆🏆🏆🏆
A #FIFAWorldCup legend in each sense.
Relaxation in peace, Mário Zagallo. 💛💚 pic.twitter.com/AWmOvxQKSa
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) January 6, 2024
“He was one of many biggest soccer gamers and coaches of all time,” Lula stated in an announcement.
“Brave, passionate… [he] leaves a lesson of affection, dedication and the need to beat for our nation – and for world soccer.”
Messages additionally poured in from across the soccer world.
“Zagallo’s affect on soccer, and Brazilian soccer specifically, is supreme,” stated FIFA chief Gianni Infantino.
Infantino known as the diminutive left winger a “tactical genius”, underlining his function in 4 of soccer powerhouse Brazil’s 5 World Cup titles – greater than anybody in historical past.
“He will probably be remembered because the Godfather of Brazilian soccer and his presence will probably be sorely missed… The story of the FIFA World Cup can’t be advised with out Mario Zagallo,” Infantino stated.
“The story of the FIFA World Cup can’t be advised with out Mário Zagallo.”
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has paid tribute to the nice Mário Zagallo, following the Brazilian legend’s passing on the age of 92.
— FIFA (@FIFAcom) January 6, 2024
‘As vital as Pele’
The one different males to win the World Cup as each participant and coach are Franz Beckenbauer of Germany (1974 and 1990) and Didier Deschamps of France (1998 and 2018).
Present and former gamers additionally paid their respects, together with Brazilian World Cup winners Ronaldinho, Romario, Bebeto, Taffarel and Cafu.
“Thanks for every thing, Professor!!! Relaxation in peace,” Ronaldinho posted on Instagram, alongside a photograph of him and Zagallo.
“He’s as vital as Pele,” Romario advised journalists.
“At the moment is a tragic day for soccer.”
Zagallo’s first dream was to be an airline pilot however he was compelled to desert that as a result of poor eyesight. As a substitute, he studied accountancy and performed soccer in his spare time with native aspect America, then one of many largest golf equipment within the metropolis.
“My father didn’t need me to be a soccer participant, he wouldn’t let me,” Zagallo stated in an interview printed by the CBF.
“Again then it wasn’t a occupation that was revered, society didn’t look kindly on it … That’s why I say soccer got here into my life by chance.”
Zagallo began off as a left midfielder, sporting the quantity 10 shirt, which again then, earlier than Pele, had not but assumed the importance it has right this moment. However instinct advised him he was within the unsuitable place on the unsuitable time.
“I noticed it might be laborious to get into the Brazil aspect sporting the quantity 10 shirt as there have been numerous nice gamers in that place,” he stated. “So I moved from left midfield to left wing.”
He additionally moved from America to Flamengo, the place he received three Carioca state championship medals. The latter half of his profession was spent at metropolis rivals Botafogo, the place he received two extra state titles.
His first World Cup got here in Sweden in 1958, the place he began all six matches and performed alongside Garrincha and Pele, who was then simply 17.
“I used to be 27 and Pele was 17,” he stated. “That’s why I say that I by no means performed with him, however that he performed with me.”
A rustic in mourning
The Brazilian Soccer Confederation (CBF) stated a minute’s silence for Zagallo can be held at upcoming matches.
Lots of Brazil’s top-flight golf equipment additionally paid tribute, together with ones the place Zagallo performed or coached, similar to Rio de Janeiro groups Botafogo, Flamengo, Fluminense and Vasco.
A public wake for Zagallo will probably be held from 9:30am (12:30 GMT) Sunday at CBF headquarters in Rio, officers stated, adopted by a burial on the Sao Joao Batista cemetery, the ultimate resting place of a few of Brazil’s most well-known residents.
Beloved in Brazil for each his soccer heroics and outsize persona, Zagallo is remembered for his heat humour, deep superstition – he swore by the quantity 13 – and combative ardour for the sport.
His demise comes at a tough second in Brazilian soccer, which remains to be mourning the lack of Pele simply over a 12 months in the past.
Brazil sacked nationwide workforce coach Fernando Diniz Friday after the “Selecao”, enjoying with out injured star Neymar, suffered a string of losses in World Cup qualifying, together with a humiliating 1-0 house loss to archrivals Argentina in November.
The CBF has in the meantime been embroiled in a messy authorized battle over its management and has struggled to discover a new coach, with Actual Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti turning down the function.
