Brazilian footballer and coach Mario Zagallo is the only person to have won four world championships. He won the title twice as a player, twice as a coach. Under his leadership, the teams of the UAE, Saudi Arabia, as well as the Brazilian national team and national clubs of the country won.
In the history of football, Mario Jorge Lobo Zagallo will remain as one of the most successful Brazilian coaches. He was a player of the national team of the country, which became the first in the world in 1958.
The path to the vocation
The biography of the future celebrity began in 1931. The baby was born in Maceio on August 9th. A short boy from an early age, he was distinguished by an amazing ability to play football. The family did not take seriously the wishes of starting a sports career. The father dreamed of seeing his son as an accountant. After school, Mario decided to get an appropriate education.
However, the vocation did its job. Breeders drew attention to the guy who played in amateur clubs. They were attracted by the speed and amazing technique. Zagello signed his first professional contract with the Flamengo club in 1950.
Thanks to the ability of excellent play on his flank and an accurate cross or cross into the penalty area, Mario was determined to play on the left edge of the attack. The beginner's discreet manner was distinguished by the virtuoso refinement of his technique. The athlete played not only himself. He also helped his defenders, receiving the nickname Ant or Forgiminya for this.
Mario did not strive for the laurels of Garrinchi, able to beat half of the opposing team, scoring fantastically spectacular goals alone. As a player of the national team, he did not attract special attention from coaches who replaced each other. At that time, Santos footballer Pepe was recognized as the best left wing. The audience adored him for his extraordinary feints.
Confession
It was Pepe who represented the country with the team at the 1954 world championship. The game ended with a Brazilian defeat to the Hungarians in the quarterfinals. Vesente Feola became the new coach of the team in the spring of 1958. On the eve of the match under his leadership, Pepe was injured on the field could not enter.
Mario played instead. Very soon, the debutant turned for Feola into one of the key players. The coach was completely satisfied with both the hard work and the rationalism of the athlete. If the players who became stars did not obey the instructions of the mentor, remaining on the floor by themselves, then this is precisely what ensured all the failures of the national team.
Zagallo understood the coach at a glance. And he acted according to the tactical plans of the mentor. For the world championship Feola predetermined a special role for Zagallo. When the ball was lost, the hardy left wing turned into a third midfielder to strengthen the center of the field. Mario also exhausted his enemies with quick raids on the right edge of the opponent's defense.
The ease and artistry of playing at the 1958 World Cup shocked the world. The national team won their first champion title. The star of the famous Pele has risen. Mario made a significant contribution towards the overall victory. It was he who scored the decisive goal in the final match, he also provided Pele with a fantastic pass for the fifth goal.
Having become the world champion, Zagallo moved to the Botafogo club in 1958. He remained faithful to the new team for life. And in 1960 Feola resigned from the post of coach of the national team. Pepe came out on top again. Only in 1962, for the world championship, Mario was again included in the team.
New facets of talent
Aymore Moreira represented in Chile the same squad that won the championship in 1958. It was Zagallo who provided the teammates with the first goal, the only one left in the meeting. Only one match ended in a draw, the rest were won. Once again, the Brazilian national team received the title of the strongest on the planet.
The twice champion represented the national team again in 1964. However, he played the only match. Returning as a coach, Feola decided to prepare a new team for the 1966 championship. Age Zagallo did not fit into it. His career in the national team ended in 1965.
In 1967 he left Botafogo as a player to lead the club in coaching status. For the first time in that period, he was invited to lead the national team of the country in a friendly match with Chile, won by the Brazilians. In 1968, again with his players, Mario defeated Argentina. Zagallo won the state championship twice in a row, and in 1970 he brought the national team to the world championship in Mexico. By that time, Mario had already earned himself a reputation as an astoundingly lucky mentor.
As a skilled strategist, Zagallo did not change anything in the team created by his predecessor. Once again, the Brazilian national team won the title of the best in the world in 1970.
After retirement
Resigned from the post of Mario after losing the next championship in 1974. He went to Saudi Arabia as a mentor of the club "Al-Hilal" in 1979. Immediately, with the help of the coach, the players became the champions of the country. In 1989 the coach worked in the United Arab Emirates.
Zagallo became the technical director of the Brazilian national team in 1994. Once again, with the direct participation of Mario, the national team won the competition. In 1998, in France, Zagallo already represented football players as a coach.
However, this time, after the Brazilians' wins followed one after another and the title of champions expected in their homeland, the hosts, the French, won the final. In 2001, the Flamengo club headed by Mario became the champion of the state of Rio de Janeiro.
The personal life of the most successful coach in the country has also developed happily. With Alcina de Castro, they became husband and wife on January 13, 1955. The couple raised four children.
