Mario Zagallo, an illustrious figure in Brazilian football, renowned for his contributions as both a player and coach, has passed away at the age of 92.
As a winger, Zagallo was an integral part of the Brazilian team that clinched consecutive World Cup victories in 1958 and 1962, featuring prominently in both finals.
His managerial prowess shone through as he led the acclaimed 1970 Brazil squad, hailed as one of the greatest international teams in history, boasting talents like Pele, Jairzinho, and Carlos Alberto, to secure yet another World Cup triumph.
In 1994, Zagallo achieved his fourth World Cup victory, this time as assistant coach to Carlos Alberto Pareira.
Following this success, he took the helm as Brazil’s manager, guiding the team to the 1998 World Cup final, though they were defeated by hosts France in a memorable showdow.
Zagallo’s legacy extends as the pioneer to achieve the remarkable feat of securing a World Cup both as a player and as a manager—a distinction later matched by Germany’s Franz Beckenbauer and France’s Didier Deschamp.
With his passing, the last living member of the Brazil team that contested the 1958 final has departed, marking the end of an era in Brazilian football history.