Brazilian football legend Mario Zagallo, a four-time World Cup winner as a player and coach, has died at the age of 92.
Zagallo was a winger in the Brazilian national team that won two consecutive World Cups in 1958 and 1962, and he started in the two final matches.
He managed what is widely considered the greatest international team of all time, including Pele, Jairzinho and Carlos Alberto, to glory in 1970.
Zagallo's last World Cup win came while he was assistant coach to Carlos Alberto Parreira in 1994.
He returned as Brazil's coach after that tournament and led them to the final in 1998, where they lost to host nation France.
Zagallo was the first person to win the World Cup as both a player and a coach, a feat that has since been equaled by Germany's Franz Beckenbauer and France's Didier Deschamps.
A statement on his official Instagram account said: “It is with great sadness that we inform you of the death of four-time eternal world champion Mario Jorge Lopo Zagallo.”
“A devoted father, a loving grandfather, a caring father-in-law, a devoted friend, a conquering professional and a great human being. A giant idol. A patriot who leaves us with a legacy of great achievement.”
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said Zagallo is “one of the greatest football players and coaches of all time.”
He added on X (formerly Twitter): “Zagalo was an example of a Brazilian who never gave up.”
He added: “This is the lesson and the spirit of affection, love, dedication and overcoming that he leaves for our entire country and for world football.”
A key figure in Brazil's decorated history
Brazil is the most successful country at World Cup finals, with five titles, and Zagallo is one of the most effective figures in that history.
As a teenager in national service, he was one of about 200,000 spectators at the Maracana Stadium who watched hosts Brazil stunned by Uruguay in the decisive final of the 1950 World Cup.
Speaking to BBC Sport in 2013, Zagallo said: “This day has never left my mind.”
He made his debut for Brazil aged 26 shortly before the 1958 tournament, but became a key part of the team that eased some of the pain of 1950, when a 17-year-old Pele led the Seleção to victory over Sweden in the final, with Zagallo. He scored the fourth goal in the 5-2 win.
Zagallo was the last surviving member of Brazil's 1958 World Cup-winning team, who played in the final.
With Pele injured in the early stages of the 1962 World Cup, Zagallo again played a crucial role, returning to help out in defense during an era when it was not customary for strikers to do so, as Brazil beat Czechoslovakia in the final.
Zagallo, who played locally for América, Flamengo and Botafogo, retired in 1965 after playing 33 international matches for his country.
He began his coaching career at Botafogo before replacing João Saldanha as coach of the Brazilian national team at the age of 38 shortly before the 1970 World Cup in Mexico.
The tactically astute Zagallo, nicknamed 'The Professor' and 'The Old Wolf', created a team full of attacking talents such as Pele, Jairzinho, Gerson, Tostao and Rivelino and made them irresistible.
Brazil won all six matches, beating Italy 4-1 in the final.
Zagallo remained as Brazil's coach at the 1974 World Cup in West Germany, where they finished fourth.
He subsequently managed Brazilian clubs and national teams including Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, helping the latter qualify for their first World Cup in 1990, before returning as coordinator in Parreira's coaching staff ahead of the 1994 World Cup.
Brazil would go on to win their fourth title and first since 1970 when they beat Italy on penalties in the final in the United States.
“The Idol of Brazilian Football”
Zagallo's side started the 1998 tournament as favorites, but lost 3-0 in the final to France, with star striker Ronaldo suffering a mysterious seizure on the day of the match.
Brazil won its fifth title in Japan and South Korea in 2002 under the leadership of Luiz Felipe Scolari, and Zagallo attended the tournament as a special advisor.
He returned as Parreira's assistant in 2006, as Brazil were eliminated in the quarter-finals by France, and subsequently retired.
Zagallo's wife, Alsina de Castro, died at the age of 57, in 2012. They had four children.
Brazilian Football Confederation President Ednaldo Rodriguez said: “The Brazilian Football Confederation and Brazilian football are mourning the death of one of its legends.
“The Brazilian Confederation expresses its solidarity with his family and fans in this moment of grief following the passing of this top star in our football.”
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said that Zagallo's influence on football, and Brazilian football in particular, is very great.
“In times of need, Brazil looked to 'The Professor' as a calming presence, a guiding arm and a tactical genius,” Infantino added.
He added: “He will be remembered as the godfather of Brazilian football, and his presence will be greatly missed by everyone, especially here at FIFA.”
