Mario Zagallo, who won two FIFA World Cups as a player, one as a coach and another as an assistant coach for Brazil, has died.
He was 92.
The first person to win the World Cup as a player and a manager, Zagallo is for many Brazilian soccer fans synonymous with patriotism, grit and glory.
Photo: AP
Brazilian soccer confederation president Ednaldo Rodrigues said in a statement in the early hours of yesterday confirming Zagallo’s death that he “is one of the biggest legends” of the sport.
No cause of death was released by the federation or Zagallo’s family.
“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.
Photo: AP
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.”
“A gigantic hero. A patriot that leaves us a legacy of great achievements,” the text added.
One of the most charismatic and superstitious figures in Brazilian soccer, he also was known for his fondness of the number 13 and constant use of the phrase: “You will have to put up with me” — voiced loudly at critics.
He said 13 was his lucky number because it carries the last two digits of his birth year: 1931. He always highlighted any link, however coincidental, between 13 and his successes in the sport.
Zagallo played a role in nearly every major chapter in Brazilian soccer history, from their first World Cup title in 1958 to the tournament the nation hosted in 2014.
Former Brazil coach Tite visited him to hear his advice before taking the team to the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.
He was Brazil’s forward when they won the World Cup in 1958 in Sweden and 1962 in Chile, and one of the first players to act as a false winger, playing between midfielders and strikers.
Zagallo stopped playing professionally in 1965 and began his coaching career with Rio de Janeiro club Botafogo the following year.
Named national team coach in 1970, just before the World Cup in Mexico, he inherited a squad who included Pele, Jairzinho, Gerson, Roberto Rivellino and Tostao.
Brazil crushed Italy 4-1 in the final, becoming the first three-time champions.
He also coached Brazil in 1974, but without Pele, the team finished in fourth place.
Zagallo was assistant coach to Carlos Alberto Parreira when Brazil won the 1994 World Cup in the US, again beating Italy in the final.
And he was back at the helm four years later for the World Cup in France, when Brazil lost 3-0 to the hosts in a final marked by striker Ronaldo’s unexplained convulsions before the game.
Zagallo was criticized for letting Ronaldo play.
“He was cleared to play by the doctors,” Zagallo said. “Anyone in my position would have done the same thing. I wasn’t going to be the one keeping him from playing in a World Cup final.”
His final coaching role with the national team was as Parreira’s assistant in 2006.
Brazil were a pre-tournament favorite to win their sixth World Cup title in Germany, but the squad led by Ronaldinho, Kaka, Ronaldo and Adriano fell to France in the quarter-finals.
Zagallo was one of the few coaches who had successful coaching stints with all four traditional Rio clubs — Flamengo, Fluminense, Botafogo and Vasco da Gama.
He began his career as a striker with Rio’s America and later also played for Flamengo and Botafogo, one of the few Brazilian clubs to rival Pele’s Santos in the 1960s.
OUT AGAINST INDONESIA: Taiwan reached the semi-finals at the tournament for the first time by defeating Denmark, with Chou Tien-chen beating Viktor Axelsen Taiwan yesterday crashed out of the Thomas Cup team competition in Chengdu, China, but achieved their best result at the top-tier badminton event by reaching the semi-finals. Indonesia were too good in the semis, winning 3-0 to advance to today’s final against China, who eliminated Malaysia 3-1. In the opening singles of the men’s team clash at the Hi-Tech Zone Sports Center Gymnasium 2, Anthony Ginting defeated Taiwan’s Chou Tien-chen 21-18, 21-19 in 51 minutes, which put a huge hole in Taiwan’s aspirations to perhaps even make the final. In the men’s doubles, Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Ardianto downed Lee Yang and Wang
Rafael Nadal on Tuesday lost in straight sets to 31st-ranked Jiri Lehecka in the fourth round at the Madrid Open, while Taiwan’s Hsieh Su-wei advanced to the semi-finals in the women’s doubles. Nadal said that he was feeling good about his progress following his latest injury layoff. Nadal called it a “positive week” in every way and said his body held up well. “I was able to play four matches, a couple of tough matches,” Nadal said. “So very positive, winning three matches, playing four matches at the high level of tennis. I enjoyed a lot playing at home. I leave here with
Top-ranked Iga Swiatek on Saturday came through “the most intense and crazy final” she has ever contested to avenge her loss to Aryna Sabalenka in last year’s Madrid Open final with a grueling three hour, 11 minute victory in the Spanish capital. Coming back from 1-3 down in the decider and saving three match points in total, Swiatek claimed a 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (9/7) victory to secure the Madrid Open trophy for the first time. “Well, who is going to say now that women’s tennis is boring, right?” Swiatek said. Swiatek, who picked up the 20th title of her career, and ninth at
When 42-1 underdog James ‘Buster’ Douglas shocked ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson 34 years ago at the Tokyo Dome, the result reverberated worldwide. Spectators at the 45,000-plus seater venue witnessed one of boxing’s biggest upsets as unbeaten heavyweight champion Tyson was knocked out in the 10th round by the unheralded Douglas in February 1990. Boxing returns to the famous venue on Monday for the first time since that unforgettable encounter when Japan’s undisputed super-bantamweight world champion Naoya ‘Monster’ Inoue puts his belts on the line against Mexican Luis Nery. The 31-year-old Inoue (26-0, 23 KOs) is a huge star in Japan and is just