Mario Zagallo, who reached the World Cup final a record five times, winning four, as a player and then a coach with Brazil, has died. He was 92.
The first person to win the World Cup both as a player and a manager, Zagallo is for many Brazilian soccer fans a synonym of patriotism, grit and glory.
In a statement in the early hours of yesterday confirming Zagallo’s death, Brazilian soccer confederation president, Ednaldo Rodrigues, said that he “is one of the biggest legends” of the sport.
“We offer solidarity to his family members and fans in this moment of grief for the departure of this great hero of our soccer”, Rodrigues said.
Several Brazilian clubs where Zagallo played and coached also expressed their sorrow for his death.
Zagallo’s social media channels called him “a dedicated father, a loving grandfather, a caring father-in-law, a loyal friend, a victorious professional, and a great human being”.
Zagallo was a winger in the Brazil team which won back-to-back World Cups in 1958 and 1962, starting in both finals.
He managed the side widely regarded as the greatest international team of all time, including Pele, Jairzinho, and Carlos Alberto, to glory in 1970.
Zagallo’s final World Cup triumph came as Carlos Alberto Parreira’s assistant coach in 1994.
He returned as Brazil manager after that tournament and led them to the final in 1998, where they were beaten by hosts France.
Zagallo was the first person to win the World Cup as both a player and a manager – a feat that has since been matched by Germany’s Franz Beckenbauer and France’s Didier Deschamps.
