Brazilian football icon Mario Zagallo passes away at 92: A tribute to his four World Cup triumphs

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BRAZIL, Jan 7: Mario Zagallo, the legendary figure who achieved four football World Cups for Brazil, either as a player or coach, has passed away at the age of 92, as confirmed by an announcement on his official Instagram account on Saturday. Renowned as a resilient and skillful left winger, Zagallo contributed to Brazil’s inaugural World Cup victory in 1958 and retained his spot in the squad for the consecutive triumph four years later.

In 1970, Zagallo transitioned to coaching, leading a Brazil team featuring iconic players such as Pele, Jairzinho, Rivellino, and Tostao, widely regarded as the greatest national team in the history of the sport. Under his guidance, they secured Brazil’s third World Cup in Mexico, marking Zagallo as the first individual in the sport to achieve World Cup success both as a player and manager.

Throughout his coaching career, Zagallo earned the moniker “The Professor” from his players, acknowledging his strategic acumen and authoritative presence on the sidelines. In a later role, he served as an assistant coach to Carlos Alberto Parreira when Brazil clinched their fourth title in 1994 in the United States.

Zagallo endeared himself to Brazilian fans with his distinctive personality and unapologetic patriotism. Often asserting that he was born with victory on his side, he defiantly challenged critics who labeled his teams as overly defensive. A memorable incident occurred after Brazil’s unexpected triumph in the Copa America in Bolivia in 1997 when an emotional Zagallo, face reddened by the high altitude of La Paz, passionately declared to television cameras: “You’re going to have to put up with me!” This phrase continues to resonate with Brazilians, celebrating a sense of vindication.

Known for his strong superstitions, Zagallo considered the number 13 as a source of luck. He crafted phrases with 13 letters, chose to marry on the 13th of the month, and even playfully mentioned retiring from the game at precisely 13:00 on July 13, 2013.

Unintentional Soccer Star

Born on August 9, 1931, in Maceio on Brazil’s economically challenged northeastern coast, Mario Jorge Lobo Zagallo, affectionately known as the Old Wolf, had his family relocate to Rio de Janeiro before he turned one, sparking his early passion for football.

Originally aspiring to become an airline pilot, Zagallo had to abandon that dream due to poor eyesight. Instead, he pursued accountancy while engaging in football as a pastime with the local club America, a prominent team in the city at the time.

In an interview published by the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), Zagallo reflected on his father’s initial disapproval of a football career, citing the lack of respect and societal approval for the profession at that time. He expressed that football, in his life, was an accidental pursuit.

Starting as a left midfielder wearing the No. 10 shirt, Zagallo, anticipating tough competition in that position, shifted to the left wing. He transitioned from America to Flamengo, securing three Carioca state championship medals. The latter part of his career was with city rivals Botafogo, where he earned two more state titles.

Zagallo’s first World Cup experience occurred in Sweden in 1958, where he played alongside Garrincha and a 17-year-old Pele. Despite the age gap, Zagallo humorously remarked, “I never played with him, but that he played with me.”

In the 1962 World Cup in Chile, Zagallo secured another championship but only after implementing tactical changes. Notably, he adopted a unique approach, dropping back to assist in marking the opposing fullback and surging up the wing when his team gained possession. This unconventional forward-defensive role is credited with influencing the way wingers played the game.

Mexico 1970 Assuming the role of coach, Zagallo left an indelible mark on various Brazilian clubs. However, his defining moment came when he was unexpectedly thrust into the position of Brazil’s coach, replacing the controversial Joao Saldanha just months before the 1970 World Cup in Mexico.

Despite Brazil’s unpredictable form leading up to the tournament, Zagallo successfully united the star-studded team, culminating in a remarkable 4-1 victory over Italy in the final—an unforgettable achievement. Zagallo continued his coaching tenure until 1974, guiding Brazil to a fourth-place finish in West Germany. However, this performance fell short of expectations, leading to subsequent managerial roles with clubs in Brazil and national teams in the Middle East.

In 1994, Zagallo served as an assistant to Parreira during Brazil’s fourth title-winning campaign, and again in 2006, when they were eliminated in the quarter-finals. He also assumed the managerial role in 1998 when Brazil suffered a 3-0 defeat to hosts France in the final, a match overshadowed by star striker Ronaldo’s pre-match convulsions.

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