Exactly 82 years ago, a genius in the history of world football was born in Maceió, Alagoas: Mário Jorge Lobo Zagallo. One of the greatest players and coaches of all time, Zagallo is now beloved by every Brazilian. After all, he was present at Brazil's first four World Cup titles. From the Red-Black Nation, he receives even greater affection. And it's no wonder. For the "Mais Querido" (Most Beloved), the idol won more than 15 titles during his time as a player and coach.

Zagallo's time as a Flamengo player was brilliant. He played for Gávea from 1951 to 1958 and won seven titles. He has the honor of being part of the squad that won the Mais Querido's first three-time Rio de Janeiro state championship (1953, 1954, and 1955) during the Maracanã Era, a truly historic feat. In 1958, while still a Flamengo player, the former left winger won the World Cup with the Brazilian national team in Sweden.

As a coach, Zagallo had three stints at Gávea: 1972/73, 1984/85, and 2000/01. All told, he won nine titles. The highlight was the 2001 state title. From his coaching area, he watched Petkovic score that historic free kick goal that gave Flamengo its fourth consecutive Rio de Janeiro championship. Another moment in which the idol and the nation celebrated together at Maracanã.

Zagallo was born to be a winner. He won countless titles throughout his career, but he never lost his simplicity and humility, characteristics that help explain his connection with Flamengo fans. Thanks to his demeanor and competence, he earned the love of soccer fans, and today, he receives the congratulations of the Flamengo Nation.

See below for information and interesting facts about Zagallo's time at Flamengo.

Full name: Mario Jorge Lobo Zagallo
Date of Birth: August 9, 1931
Location: Maceió (AL)

As a player:
Position: Left winger
Period at Flamengo: from 1951 to 1958
Games: 217
Goals: 30
Titles: Carioca Championship (1953, 1954 and 1955), Opening Tournament (1952), Rio de Janeiro International Tournament (1954 and 1955), Morumbi International Tournament (1957)

Curiosities:
1 - World champion with the Brazilian National Team in 1958, when he was a Flamengo player.
2 - Fleitas Solich, Flamengo's coach in the 50s, demanded that left winger Zagallo return to help left back Jordan in the marking, making the Old Wolf a pioneer among forwards who returned to help the defense. Zagallo repeated the role in the 1958 World Cup, which proved decisive in the Brazilian team's victory.
3 - He scored goals for Flamengo in several tours against great teams abroad, such as: Boca Juniors-ARG (1953), Combined Milan/Internazionale-ITA (1954), Werder Bremen-ALE (1954), Estrela Vermelha-IUG (1955), Burnley-ING (1957), Boca Juniors-ARG (1958) and Racing-ARG (1958), among others.

As a technician:
Passages: 3 (1972/73, 1984/85 and 2000/2001)
Games: 283
Wins: 137
Draws: 66
Titles: Campeonato Carioca (1972 and 2001), Regional Champions Cup (2001) and Guanabara Cup (1972, 1973, 1984 and 2001), People's Tournament (1972) and Summer Tournament (1972)

Curiosities:
1 - Zagallo was the coach when Zico became a permanent starter in 1973, the year when Galinho was just 20 years old. Twelve years later, in 1985, he was also at Flamengo when Zico returned from Italy to play for Mais Querido.
2 - In the 4 spells he played for Flamengo, Zagallo was champion against Fluminense: 1954 (RJ International Tournament, 5x2), 1972 (Carioca Championship, 2x1 and Guanabara Cup, 5x2), 1984 (Guanabara Cup, 1x0) and 2001 (Guanabara Cup, on penalties)
3 - Guanabara Cup Champion in the 3 periods he was coach: 1972, 1984 and 2001