RIO DE JANEIRO – President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva declared three days of national mourning in Brazil on Saturday following the death of football legend Mario Zagallo at the age of 92. Zagallo, a four-time World Cup winner, passed away on Friday from multiple organ failure, according to the Barra D’Or hospital in Rio de Janeiro.
Zagallo played a crucial role in Brazil’s 1958 and 1962 World Cup victories alongside Pele and later achieved success as a coach, leading Brazil to World Cup glory in 1970 and serving as an assistant coach during the team’s 1994 triumph.
President Lula praised Zagallo, known as the “Old Wolf,” stating, “He was one of the greatest football players and coaches of all time. Courageous, passionate… (he) leaves a lesson of love, dedication and the will to overcome for our country and for world football.”
Tributes flowed in from around the football world, with FIFA chief Gianni Infantino calling Zagallo a “tactical genius” and emphasizing his unparalleled influence on Brazilian football. Current and former players, including Ronaldinho, Bebeto, Taffarel, and Cafu, expressed their condolences.
The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) announced a minute’s silence for Zagallo at upcoming matches. Clubs associated with Zagallo, such as Botafogo, Flamengo, Fluminense, and Vasco, paid tribute, and even teams unrelated to him, like Santos, acknowledged his passing.
Zagallo’s outsize personality, warm humor, and deep superstitions, including a fondness for the number 13, endeared him to fans. A public wake is scheduled for Sunday at CBF headquarters in Rio, followed by burial at Sao Joao Batista cemetery.
Zagallo’s death comes amid a challenging period for Brazilian football, still mourning the loss of Pele over a year ago. The national team’s recent struggles led to the dismissal of coach Fernando Diniz, and the CBF is grappling with leadership disputes and difficulties in securing a new coach.
