Photo: EBC Agency
The Brazilian legend and only four-time world soccer champion, Mario Jorge Lobo Zagallodied on Friday night at the age of 92, as confirmed by a note published on his official social network account, and the cause of his death was not disclosed.
“With enormous regret, we inform you of the death of our eternal four-time world champion Mario Jorge Lobo Zagallo,” reads the brief statement about the idol’s death on the Instagram network.
Born on August 9, 1931 in the state of Alagoas, He acted as a striker during his time as a player, in which he defended Flamengo and Botafogo, two of the biggest clubs in Brazil..
Zagallo, only one to participate in four of the five World Cups won by Braziladding two titles as a player and another two as a coach and technical assistant, had been hospitalized last August in Rio de Janeiro due to a urinary infection.
“A dedicated father, loving grandfather, affectionate father-in-law, faithful friend, victorious professional and a great human being. Great idol. A patriot who leaves us a legacy of great achievements,” added the note confirming the death.
Photo: EBC Agency
The president of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), Ednaldo Rodrigues, decreed official 7 day mourning for the death of the idol, noted AFP.
“The CBF and Brazilian football mourn the death of one of its greatest legends, Mário Zagallo. The CBF lends solidarity to his family and fans in this moment of regret for the departure of an idol of our football,” Rodrigues said in a note. .
As a left winger, “Old Wolf” was part of the Brazilian team that won the 1958 World Cups in Sweden (against the local team) and 1962 in Chile (against Czechoslovakia) next to Pelé.
President of the CBF, Ednaldo Rodrigues, declares seven days of official mourning for the death of Zagallo pic.twitter.com/StDeBKl5Km
— CBF Futebol (@CBF_Futebol) January 6, 2024
Later, Zagalo, a widower with four children, remained linked to eternal glory by being Brazil’s coach in the 1970 title in Mexico (against Italy), in which for many he was the best team in history, and he was an assistant to the triumph in the United States 1994 (against Italy).
The only final that he lost with the glorious Brazilian jacket was the 1998 World Cup in France.against the local team led by Zinedine Zidane, while he was also coach of Brazil in the 1974 World Cup in Germany.
The only other two athletes to win the World Cup as a footballer and coach have been the German Franz Beckenbauer (1974 and 1990) and the French Didier Deschamps (1998 and 2018).
The South American Football Confederation also mourned the death of the “soccer legend and only four-time champion” in a post shared on X, formerly Twitter.
CONMEBOL mourns the passing of Mário Jorge Lobo Zagallo, football legend and only four-time world champion as a player, coach and assistant. Condolences to the family and friends of the Brazilian star. pic.twitter.com/xgCzREWErN
— CONMEBOL.com (@CONMEBOL) January 6, 2024
2024-01-06 10:32:00
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