World champion as a player then as a coach, the Brazilian Mario Zagallo has died

A year after the death of King Pelé, another Brazilian legend has passed away. At 92, Mario Zagallo, the only four-time world champion, as a player and then as a coach, died on Friday in Rio de Janeiro. Those close to him published a statement on his official Instagram account: “It is with great sadness that we inform you of the death of our eternal four-time world champion Mario Jorge Lobo Zagallo. A devoted father, a loving grandfather, an affectionate father-in-law, a loyal friend, a consummate professional and a great human being. Giant idol. A patriot who leaves us a legacy of great achievements…”

The former midfielder, born in Maceio, was a double world champion as a player, in 1958 and 1962, then as a coach, in 1970, and finally as assistant coach to his friend Carlos Alberto Parreira , in 1994. He was also world vice-champion in 1998. Zagallo was also coach of the four big clubs in Rio (Flamengo, Fluminense, Vasco, Botafogo) and coach of Kuwait (1976-1977), Saudi Saudi Arabia (1982-1984), or the United Arab Emirates (1988-1990).

Zagallo enjoyed enormous popularity among supporters, who loved his outspokenness and patriotism. He is the only one, with Didier Deschamps and Franz Beckenbaueur, to have been world champion as a player and as a coach. Trained in Botafogo, the left-hander, very skillful and intelligent, rubbed shoulders with the greatest players in the history of his country, from Pelé to Garrincha, including Didi, Nilton Santos, Gerson, Rivellino, Jairzinho and Tostao. The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), via its president Ednaldo Rodrigues, paid tribute to its “eternal champion” and declared seven days of mourning in his honor.