Mario Zagallo, who led Brazil to four World Cup victories as a coach or player, including the 1970 team that is regarded by many as the greatest ever, passed away on Saturday, according to a post on his official Instagram account. He was ninety-two.
Zagallo, a rugged and gifted left winger, was a member of Brazil’s 1958 World Cup winning squad and was again selected for the team that won the championship four years later.
He led the Brazil team that many believe to be the best national team in history in 1970, which included all-time greats like Pele, Jairzinho, Rivellino, and Tostao.
Brazil triumphed in its third World Cup in Mexico.
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As a result, Zagallo became the first individual in the sport to win a World Cup in both management and play.
Later, in 1994, he served as Carlos Alberto Parreira’s assistant coach as Brazil won their fourth championship in the US.
His peculiar demeanour and unreserved patriotism won him a devoted following in Brazil.
He was not afraid to criticise those who felt his teams were too defensive; in fact, he preferred to claim he was born with win at his side.
One of his most well-known tantrums occurred in 1997 in Bolivia following Brazil’s Copa America victory.
Despite the fact that his team was underdogs, an emotional Zagallo, hot in the face from the unique atmosphere of La Paz, yelled into the TV cameras, “You’re going to have to put up with me!” as the final whistle blew.
Brazilians from all walks of life still say this phrase a lot when they celebrate being vindicated.
Zagallo was also well-known for his extreme superstition, which led him to assume that the number 13 was auspicious.
He married on the thirteenth of the month, liked to make up phrases with thirteen letters, and once declared he would quit the game at thirteen on July 13, 2013.
Mario Jorge Lobo Zagallo, also known as the Old Wolf, was born on August 9, 1931, in Maceio, on the destitute northeastern coast of Brazil.
Before he turned one, his family relocated to Rio de Janeiro, and it was there that he developed a love for football.