Members of the military police carry the coffin of former Brazilian soccer coach and participant Mario Zagallo for his burial, on the São Joao Batista cemetery, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024. Zagallo, who reached the World Cup closing a file 5 instances, profitable 4, as a participant after which a coach with Brazil, died on the age of 92.
Related Press /Bruna Prado
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Followers, gamers and coaches paid their final respects in Brazil to Mario Zagallo on Sunday, as the primary individual to win the World Cup each as a participant and a supervisor was buried at a Rio de Janeiro cemetery.
Zagallo was seen by many because the embodiment of the Brazilian nationwide staff, whose aptitude and expertise gained a worldwide following, with a big banner studying “Zagallo everlasting” on the Brazilian soccer confederation (CBF) headquarters. Tributes on Sunday started with a public wake after which a non-public funeral, attended by family and friends, on the CBF museum.
His casket was later transported on high of a firetruck by Rio on a sunny Sunday afternoon. It was lined within the flags of world soccer governing physique FIFA, South American soccer physique CONMEBOL, and the CBF.
Upon arrival on the Sao Joao Batista cemetery, solely Brazil’s nationwide flag was on the casket as dozens of followers silently joined relations and former gamers like soccer nice Cafu to bid Zagallo farewell.
“I owe my profession within the nationwide staff to him,” stated former participant Zinho, who tearfully kissed Zagallo’s brow in an open casket throughout the wake. “I not too long ago wished to go to him, he was not in good condition, however nonetheless known as me to talk later. I misplaced a father.”
Zagallo received two World Cups as a participant (1958 and ’62), one as a coach (with the nonetheless revered staff of 1970) and one other as an assistant coach (1994) for Brazil.
He died late on Friday at age 92 of multiple-organ failure. Native media reported he was hospitalized after Christmas.
A life-size statue of the soccer legend was near his casket throughout the wake. Zagallo noticed the disclosing of the statue in a wheelchair in October 2022. Replicas of all 5 World Cup trophies Brazil has received had been positioned in entrance of Zagallo’s casket. His sons acquired miniature variations of them.
“I can solely thank folks everywhere in the world for all of the love they’re giving to my father,” stated Paulo Zagallo. “He was lucid till the tip. It was God’s will to permit him to relaxation so he didn’t undergo a lot.”
Followers like Jair Almeida Alves, 56, applauded as they handed by Zagallo’s casket. Sporting a Botafogo shirt, certainly one of Zagallo’s golf equipment as participant and coach, Alves stated he noticed him as a nationwide hero.
“He’s the embodiment of what it’s to be proud about being Brazilian. Solely later in his life folks understood Zagallo, how necessary he was for our soccer, for our id,” Alves stated. “This can be a celebration of his life, he lived an awesome life, made us joyful and is now within the historical past books.”
Europe-based Vinicius Junior, Richarlison and Casemiro have been amongst present Brazil gamers to pay tribute. Neymar, Brazil’s all-time high objective scorer, has reportedly made no public remark thus far.
Zagallo was additionally the final residing member of Brazil’s beginning staff in its first championship victory within the match in 1958.
He performed a task in almost each main chapter in Brazilian soccer historical past, from its first World Cup title in 1958 to the match it hosted in 2014. Former Brazil coach Tite visited him to listen to his recommendation earlier than taking the staff to the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.
Zagallo coached Brazil within the 1970, 1974 and 1998 World Cups, profitable the primary of these. He was the staff’s assistant coach within the 1994 title-winning marketing campaign.
Brazil soccer nice Ronaldo, the 1994 and 2002 World Cup winner, was amongst many to ship wreaths.
“Zagallo, your period is everlasting,” his message stated. “Thanks for every part you taught me. Relaxation in peace. I like you.”
Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva declared three days of nationwide mourning on Saturday.
