Everything has already been said about Zagallo. But it costs nothing to repeat. He is the most complete world football champion, record holder in participations in World Cups, a professional of excellence, marked by a unique trajectory in the sport.
This August 9, Mário Jorge Lobo Zagallo turned 92 years old.
In October last year, the CBF honored Zagallo with a wax statue at the Brazilian National Team Museum, at the entity’s headquarters. The work took about two years to complete and involved 26 artisans. Made by the same studio responsible for the statues of Marta and Pelé, it weighs 30 kilos. For the production, more than 300 measurements were taken ‘in loco’, at Velho Lobo’s house, and almost 500 photos.
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World Cup history
Altogether, Zagallo was active in seven World Cups. In 1958 and 1962, he was one of the protagonists of Brazil’s campaigns to win the two titles. In the first of them, he even scored a goal in the decision against the host team, Sweden, which lost by 5-2.
In 1962, he shared with Pelé the artillery of the debut game – a 2-0 victory over Mexico, in Viña del Mar, Chile. And he continued as a starter until the final, against Czechoslovakia (3 to 1).
Years later, in 1970, still young, he commanded the national team from the edge of the field in what would be the most emblematic Cup of all time, thanks to the football-art exhibited by the team that brought together Pelé, Tostão, Gerson, Rivellino, Jairzinho, Piazza, Clodoaldo, Carlos Alberto Torres, Brito, Everaldo and Félix, among other stars.
The third championship came with an impeccable performance by the national team in the 4-1 defeat of Italy, in Mexico City.
Zagallo would gain more respect and notoriety there, which led him to remain in the national team for the 1974 World Cup in Germany. Luck, however, did not help the team in the competition – it did not advance from the second phase, after being beaten by the Netherlands by 2-0.
How was he as a player?
Velho Lobo began his career in 1949 at America-RJ. He played as a left winger. Soon, he transferred to Flamengo, where he stayed for almost a decade. Afterwards, he projected his career even further at Botafogo, a club that embraced him for seven years and in which he had the company of Garrincha, Didi and Nilton Santos.
Skilled, fast and tactically disciplined, Zagallo was a strong presence in the national team. He played 34 games for the team and scored five goals. His name was already revered internationally when he changed roles and became a coach.
More coaching
Failure in 1974 only postponed a new phase of success for the national team for a while. Meanwhile, he would work as a coach in the Arab world and in Flamengo and Vasco. Summoned by Carlos Alberto Parreira to help him as technical coordinator at the US Cup in 1994, Zagallo would take another Olympic turn and become the first four-time world champion.
The feat of having lifted the championship cup four times would take him to another Cup, the 1998, in France. Again as a coach, he achieved the feat of advancing to another final, in which Brazil would end up surpassed by Zidane’s team and company.
Finally, in the 2006 World Cup, again as coordinator, alongside Parreira, he saw the national team leave the competition in the quarterfinals, against the French.
Temperament
Alongside titles and a winning streak unparalleled in football, Zagallo also made history for his temperament, catchphrases, catchphrases and superstitions. After winning the 1997 Copa América, in an outburst that targeted part of the critics, he uttered the resounding “you’re going to have to swallow me”. Another playful characteristic of his is associated with his fondness for the number 13. So much so that even today he likes to formulate sentences that have 13 letters.
This explains the title of this text-tribute.
Viva Zagallo 92 is not necessarily 13 letters, but 13 characters. May Zagallo celebrate the date for much longer.
