Zagallo, who died on Friday, was the one surviving member of the Brazilian crew that lifted the 1958 World Cup trophy, the nation’s first title and one which eased the ache of a traumatic defeat by Uruguay on the Maracana eight years prior.
“I used to be on the Maracana for that fateful loss to Uruguay. I used to be a soldier and it was my job to maintain folks off the pitch,” stated Zagallo, of a consequence that prompted nationwide mourning.
“I’ll always remember the silence, the disappointment and the frustration of that defeat,” he famous.
His legendary teammate, Pele, died in December 2022.
Whereas that reminiscence remained vivid, Zagallo would do his utmost to alleviate the anguish by leaving his fingerprints on 4 of Brazil’s 5 World Cup triumphs.
Rising from the beginner ranks throughout the Nineteen Fifties, Zagallo, a diminutive left winger, embodied Brazil’s quest to mix attacking aptitude with defensive solidity, combining his beautiful approach with admirable dedication.
He received 5 Rio de Janeiro state championships with Flamengo and Botafogo. He solely made his Brazil debut on the age of 26, shortly earlier than the 1958 World Cup in Sweden, however turned an integral member of the crew, profitable 37 caps.
Brazil’s run of success
The match, which launched 17-year-old sensation Pele on the world stage, ended with Brazil beating the hosts 5-2 within the remaining. Zagallo scored his crew’s fourth after which arrange Pele for the ultimate purpose.
4 years later, Zagallo performed each single minute as a Garrincha-inspired Brazil overcame an damage sustained by Pele within the group stage to retain their crown, coming from behind to beat Czechoslovakia 3-1 in Santiago.
After retirement, Zagallo returned to the sport as a supervisor, taking on former membership Botafogo and main them to 2 extra state titles in a rustic underneath a navy dictatorship.
Joao Saldanha had guided the nationwide crew to the 1970 World Cup in Mexico however was forged apart earlier than the match in favor of Zagallo. Saldanha fell out with Pele and refused to bow to calls for of then-president Emilio Garrastazu Medici on squad choice and, as a recognized Communist sympathizer, his destiny was sealed.
Zagallo, simply 38 on the time, inherited an exceptionally gifted squad — together with Pele, Carlos Alberto, Jairzinho and Rivelino — and oversaw six wins from six video games as Brazil captured the title for a 3rd time in 4 makes an attempt.
Years forward of his time as a participant, Zagallo rapidly demonstrated his advantage as a coach. He later mirrored on the fabled 1970 World Cup, dominated by a spectacular Brazilian show, as his “best reminiscence as a supervisor”.
A counter-intuitive sort who believed within the quantity 13, Zagallo’s unabating starvation for fulfillment introduced additional home titles with Fluminense and Flamengo earlier than he ventured overseas to Kuwait, profitable the Gulf Cup in 1976 and reaching that yr’s Asian Cup remaining.
Tireless pursuit of glory
After taking the United Arab Emirates to Italy in 1990, Zagallo was known as on by Brazil for a remaining time, as technical director for the 1994 World Cup in the US.
Collectively along with his protege, Carlos Alberto Perreira, he guided the aspect to a different world title after a uninteresting remaining towards Italy led to a penalty shootout.
His tilt at a fifth success fell agonizingly quick in 1998 when Ronaldo, the pre-eminent participant of his era, suffered a mysterious match earlier than the ultimate and Brazil slumped to a 3-0 defeat to hosts France.
Zagallo’s sturdiness and lasting aura ensured he was a pure alternative to face in briefly for the departed Luiz Felipe Scolari following Brazil’s fifth World Cup victory in 2002.
“He was one of many best Brazilian gamers of his era and, after profitable the World Cup 4 occasions, he has left a everlasting mark on Brazilian soccer,” stated Ronaldo of the person nicknamed “The Professor”.
His spouse of 57 years, Alcina de Castro, handed away in 2012.
AFP