POST 1301: Mario Jorge Lobo Zagallo – SIMPLE POSTHUMOUS TRIBUTE

Mario Jorge Lobo Zagallo – Simple Tribute

Mário Jorge Lobo Zagallo! A true icon of Brazilian football. Zagallo was much more than a player and coach; He became a legend, leaving an indelible mark on the history of the sport. Let’s get to know a little more about this great name:

Playing career:
- Zagallo played as a left winger and made history with the Brazilian National Team shirt. He participated in two World Cups as a player: in 1958, in Sweden, and in 1962, in Chile. And what’s even more impressive? Brazil won both editions! Zagallo contributed to these achievements with his skill and passion for the game.
- In addition to the World Cups, he also shone in the clubs “He had stints in most of the Rio de Janeiro teams, such as Flamengo, Vasco, Botafogo, Fluminense, Bangu and América-RJ.” and leaving his mark on the pitch.
Coaching career:
- Zagallo did not stop there. He also stood out as a coach. In 1970, in Mexico, he led the Brazilian National Team in the historic conquest of the third world championship. Yes, he was one of the few to win the Cup as a player and as a coach!
- In addition, Zagallo coached Brazil in other editions of the Cup, reaching five finals in seven participations. He was also runner-up in 1998 in France.
- And we cannot forget that, as technical coordinator, he was part of the team that brought the fourth championship to Brazil in 1994.
Legacy and Recognition:
- Zagallo received the FIFA Order of Merit in 1992, an honor that recognizes his exceptional contributions to football.
- His passion, determination, and love for the Brazilian National Team have made him an unforgettable symbol for football fans around the world.

Mário Jorge Lobo Zagallo, the “Old Wolf”, will always be remembered as one of the greatest personalities in the sport. His trajectory is inspiring and continues to thrill generations of football lovers.

Tetra – Zagallo is the only one in World Football who has won 4 World Titles, being (2) as a player (58 and 62), 1 as a Coach (Coach) in 70 and 1 as Technical Coordinator in 1994.

Great Achievement – One of the greatest achievements I saw was to qualify the United Arab Emirates National Team for the 1990 World Cup, having in its Technical Committee the Assistant Admildo Chirol, the Physical Trainer Paulo Paixão and the Goalkeeper Coach Miguel Banana.

The country at the time had incipient, amateur football, with only 1 million inhabitants and 2 million foreigners working and living there. But he invested and had a return when he took Danilo Alves and Jairo Leal in 1982, then Mestre Parreira to the National Team, in 84, reaching 28 Professionals and their Families working in the same year, with great unity, developing local football a lot.

During the qualification for that World Cup he was expelled for the first time (as far as I know). Even so, he did not direct the National Team in the World Cup, Carlos Alberto Parreira was the Coach, as he had a disagreement with a senior leader of the Federation and left.

4th. Man – Football came from China and Japan 5 thousand years ago, it became as we know it in England about 150 years ago, after passing through the Middle East. But few gave as much value to football as Zagallo, as he defended his Clubs and the Brazilian National Team with unique, unsurpassed, unparalleled tenacity and race. In addition, he participated as a player in the Evolution of Game Systems at a time when everyone used the G System – 4 -2 – 4 with two open, advanced and purely offensive pointers and he, due to his physical qualities, techniques and tactical intelligence retreated to help the 2 midfielders, sharing with them the work of marking and playmaking, becoming lighter for everyone, covering the left back who in the national team started to use the space opened by the retreat, or allowing one of the 2 strikers to fall on the left opening spaces for the penetration of the midfielders and more freedom for the other attacker. He was known as “Ant” for this wonderful and tireless work.

He took over the starting lineup in place of a great Santos player, Pepe “O Canhão da Vila”. But he was also offensive, he dribbled like the Root Pointers, crossed like the old wingers and scored goals, even scoring in the World Cup.

They’re going to have to swallow me – he was sanguine, hot, and in an imbroglio with São Paulo journalists who tried to destabilize him, by exceeding expectations and obtaining another of his many successes, he shouted into the microphone when interviewed after the game the famous phrase: “You’re going to have to swallow me!”

Aviãozinho – In a game against South Africa when the African team scored a goal, their coach came off the bench and twice passed in front of the Brazilian bench where Zagallo was, running with his arms open like a small plane. But the one who laughs last laughs better and when the Brazilian team scored a goal it was Mestre Zagallo’s turn to run and pass in front of Backler’s gang making his unforgettable and lively little plane.

Date of birth – Mário Jorge Lobo Zagallo (Atalaia, Alagoas, August 9, 1931)

Date of death – – Rio de Janeiro, January 5, 2024)

D Nininha – married to Dona Nininha, Teacher and dutiful Mother, who accompanied and helped Zagallo wherever he went to work.

Tennis – he loved to play Tennis, which he did very well, as well as in other sports he practiced as a young man.

D.E.P. my Friend!