One Year Without Zagallo: Brazilian Football Owes Part of Its History to the Old Wolf

World champion as a player in 1958 and 1962, as well as the coach in 1970 and technical coordinator during the 1994 tetra in the United States.

On January 5, 2024, Mário Jorge Lobo Zagallo, the greatest winner in Brazilian national team history both on the field and on the coaching staff, passed away in Rio de Janeiro at the age of 92, following multiple organ failure resulting from the progression of several pre-existing comorbidities.

The old wolf, throughout his career, won the World Cups of 1958 and 1962, playing as a right back. He notably scored a goal in ‘s first title against Sweden. Later, in 1970, leading what is considered the greatest team of all time, Zagallo took the coaching role, guiding Brazil to its third World Cup victory in Mexico with a convincing 4-1 win over Italy.

Zagallo was born in Alagoas on August 9, 1931, but moved as a child to Rio de Janeiro, where he began his football journey playing in parks in the city’s northern zone. At 17, in 1948, he made his debut in professional football for América. A decade later, he was already a starter for and the Brazilian national team.

In addition to the s won as a player and coach, Zagallo was also present for Brazil’s tetra in 1994 as the technical coordinator in the United States. Four years later, as coach, he reached the runner-up position after losing to Zidane’s France in a memorable match.

Ultimately, Zagallo was buried in São João Batista Cemetery in Botafogo, in the southern zone of Rio de Janeiro. Even in retirement, he continued to appear at various events for the national team as well as at the clubs where he made history: Botafogo and Flamengo.

By Footboom