Zagallo’s farewell, at the CBF headquarters in Rio, was marked this Sunday (7) by the sharing of memorable moments experienced by the four-time world champion. Friends, admirers, former athletes, as well as relatives, paid tribute to the football legend, who passed away on Friday night (6), aged 92.
Clodoaldo, from the campaign to win the third championship in 1970, Reinaldo, one of the great names of the Seleção in the 70s and 80s, Juan (from the 2006 and 2010 World Cups) and former world champions in 1994 were at the ceremony.
“The Velho Lobo left an impressive legacy for football. He was a master for me, a big daddy, a teacher. He taught me to love the Brazilian team. I’ve never seen a guy so passionate about our team, about our people”, declared Zinho.
Another member of the group that won the four-peat in 1994, in the USA, Mauro Silva also highlighted Zagallo’s relationship with the yellow jersey.
“This love he had for the Brazilian team’s shirt; This is more important than ever for us. It’s important to be here, important to give the family a hug, console and thank the family for everything he did for us”, commented Mauro Silva.
Former goalkeeper Gilmar Rinaldi, also champion in 1994, paid tribute to Zagallo.
“Among so many of his merits and teachings, I remember his work as assistant coach to Carlos Alberto Parreira in 1994. It was one of the most beautiful things you can see, because after being world champion as a coach, he took on a position as a squire, a defender of Parreira”, highlighted Gilmar.
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Mazinho, another member of the 1994 team, echoed his colleagues’ speech. “Zagallo told us the importance of representing the Amarelinha, the importance of honoring the Brazilian National Team. That made a big impression on us,” he revealed.
Carlos Alberto Parreira was present at the CBF headquarters. Very moved, he praised Zagallo. “It was a privilege to enjoy this coexistence for more than 50 years, in a friendship that grew stronger every day. Zagallo marked an era for all his contribution to world football. An example”, commented Parreira.
Branco, Bebeto, Jorginho and Cafu, who won the World Cup in 1994 and 2002, also paid tribute to Zagallo.
“In my entire history as a football player and as a man, I had Zagallo as a reference. He was my second father. He transcends football. We have great love for his family”, said Bebeto, one of the highlights of the 1994 World Cup.
“If I am a four-time champion today, I thank him. Zagallo took me to Flamengo in 1984, at the age of 19, and changed my life”, commented Jorginho, who gave several interviews before heading to the place where Zagallo’s body was being laid to rest.
Team captain in 2002, Cafu made a point of praising Zagallo. “I spoke yesterday, I spoke today and I will speak for the rest of my life, all the tributes we pay to Zagallo will be few compared to his greatness and representation in world football. Anyone who had the opportunity, like me, to spend time with Professor Zagallo knows what I’m talking about. We have Zagallo as a father, a friend, a person who gave us advice and a person who has a story to tell in football.”
Upon arriving at the CBF following Parreira, former full-back Branco was another 1994 champion to declare his admiration for Zagallo. “Our great master is gone. The important thing about this whole story is that he left many lessons as a man and as a sportsman, of perseverance, of believing and, above all, of a winning spirit. Pure gratitude to our dear Zagallo, who taught us what it means to love the yellow shirt. Thank you, great master, may God receive you and, of course, he will receive you in the best possible way. A kiss on the heart and thank you for everything.”
For Clodoaldo, a starter at the 1970 World Cup, Zagallo developed several qualities that made him a great winner. “I am eternally grateful to him, who trusted me so that I could play on the 1970 team. Zagallo was and will always be the biggest fan of Brazilian football. Mission Accomplished.”
Much sought after by journalists, Reinaldo, who was at the 1978 World Cup, said that Zagallo wrote part of the story, “perhaps one of the most beautiful stories of Brazilian football”. The former striker said that Zagallo infected not only the players, but also the fans. “We were infected by his enthusiasm, his determination, his desire to win. He is a symbol of world football. Rest in peace. We will forever miss the joy and vibrancy of Zagallo.”
Juan, former Flamengo and Seleção full-back Athirson, as well as Paulo Nunes, Grafite and coaches Sebastião Lazaroni and Ramon Menezes also attended Zagallo’s wake and paid their last tribute to the Old Wolf.
