A message on Mario Zagallo’s official Instagram account on Saturday announced his death. Zagallo won four football World Cups for Brazil, one as a player and two as a coach. His 1970 team is widely regarded as the finest ever. This man was 92 years old.
Zagallo, a rugged and gifted left winger, was a member of Brazil’s 1958 World Cup winning squad and continued to play for the 1958 and 1958 defending champions.
Many people think that the Brazil national team he managed in 1970 was the best ever since it had legendary players like Tostao, Rivellino, Jairzinho, and Pele. Their victory in Mexico was Brazil’s third World Cup title.
So, Zagallo became the first individual in the sport to ever win the World Cup in two capacities: as a player and as a manager.
In subsequent years, he assisted Carlos Alberto Parreira as Brazil’s assistant coach during their 1994 U.S. championship run.
His outspoken patriotism and eccentric demeanor won over his Brazilian followers. He would often boldly confront anyone who said his teams were too defensive, claiming he was born with success in his blood.
After Brazil’s 1997 Copa America victory in Bolivia, he had one of his most memorable tantrums. Despite his team’s lack of fan support, Zagallo let out a frantic yell into the television cameras as the final whistle blew: “You’re going to have to put up with me!” His cheeks flushed from the suffocating atmosphere of La Paz.
Brazilians from all walks of life continue to routinely repeat the phrase as a way to celebrate victory.
In addition to his reputation for extreme superstition, Zagallo had the belief that the number 13 brought him good fortune. He had a penchant for coming up with catchphrases that included the number thirteen, tied the knot on a Monday, and joked that he would call it quits at thirteen minutes past the top of the hour on July 13, 2013.
Unintentional Goalkeeper
Born on August 9, 1931, on the destitute northeastern coast of Brazil, in the city of Maceio, Mario Jorge Lobo Zagallo was known as the Old Wolf. Before he turned one, his family relocated to Rio de Janeiro, and it was there that he developed a passion for football.
Because of his vision impairment, he had to give up on his childhood ambition of becoming an airline pilot. On the contrary, he majored in accounting while dabbling in soccer with America, a local side that was once among the city’s most prominent teams.
“My father didn’t want me to be a football player, he wouldn’t allow me,” Zagallo stated in an interview released by the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF). Society looked down on it and didn’t value it as a vocation back then. For that reason, I often claim that football was a lucky break for me.
Zagallo originally played on the left side of midfield and wore the No. 10 jersey, which, prior to Pele, did not have the same weight as it has now. However, his gut warned him that he had picked the incorrect moment and location.
“I saw it would be hard to get into the Brazil side wearing the No. 10 shirt as there were lots of great players in that position,” stated the athlete. “So I moved from left midfield to left wing.”
Additionally, he earned three Carioca state championship trophies after relocating from the US to Flamengo. He won two further state championships during his second half of the career while playing for Botafogo, a rival team from his hometown.
Starting all six of his team’s matches at the 1958 World Cup in Sweden, he shared the field with Garrincha and a 17-year-old Pele.
“I was 27 and Pele was 17,” he said calmly. “That’s why I say that I never played with him, but that he played with me.”
Reigning champion four years later in Chile, he secured his position with tactical adjustments. After dribbling the ball into his team’s possession, Zagallo would charge ferociously up the flank to assist mark the opposing full back. The wingers’ style of play was revolutionized by him, and it was unprecedented for forwards to pitch in defensively.
1970 in Mexico
Although Zagallo coached for many Brazilian clubs, it was his appointment to succeed the contentious Joao Saldanha as Brazil’s coach in the months leading up to the 1970 Mexico World Cup that really cemented his reputation.
Despite Brazil’s unpredictable record and lack of fan support, Zagallo rallied the star-studded squad to a historic 4-1 final victory against Italy.
After a dismal performance leading Brazil to fourth place in West Germany in 1974, Zagallo continued on for a while, coaching clubs at home and national teams in the Middle East.
During Brazil’s fourth triumph in 1994 and their quarterfinal exit in 2006, he served as an assistant to Parreira. Even though star striker Ronaldo had convulsions only hours before the 1998 final, he was still in command when France defeated Brazil 3-0.
Zagallo had a terrible denouement in 2006 since he was sick leading up to the competition. He left the game since he was obviously struggling with management.
His infectious enthusiasm and widespread popularity ensured that he remained in the public eye; he made frequent television appearances, attended gala events, and lent a hand at the CBF.
After tying the knot in 1955, he stayed with Alcina de Castro till she passed away in 2012. They had four kids altogether.