Zagallo turns 83
As a player and commander, Zagallo has collected unforgettable moments with the Sacred Mantle
By Communication - Official Club Website - in
This Saturday (09.08), one of the greatest names in Flamengo's history, whether on or off the field, turns 83. Mário Jorge Lobo Zagallo, from Maceió, Alagoas, made history as a player for Rubro-Negro, from 1951 to 1958, and, mainly, as a coach, in three spells: 1972/73, 1984/85 and 2000/2001.
A Brazilian football legend, "O Velho Lobo" started out at Mais Querido as a left winger when Fleitas Solich, Flamengo's coach in the 50s, demanded he return to assist left-back Jordan in marking, making him a pioneer among forwards who dropped back to defend. Zagallo repeated the role in the 1958 World Cup, which proved decisive in the Brazilian national team's first World Cup victory.
At Flamengo from 1951 to 1958, Zagallo defended the Red and Black in 218 games, scoring 30 goals. For the Gávea trophy room, the Wolf left three state championships (1953, 1954 and 1955), a Torneio Início (1952), a Torneio Internacional do Rio de Janeiro (1954 and 1955) and a Torneio Internacional do Morumbi (1957). Outside Brazil, he left his mark on several tours of the Rubro-Negro through neighboring countries and Europe, against great teams such as Boca Juniors-ARG (1953 and 1958), Combined Milan/Internazionale-ITA (1954), Werder Bremen-GER (1954), Estrela Vermelha-IUG (1955), Burnley-ING (1957) and Racing-ARG (1958).
With a brilliant career as an athlete behind him, Zagallo became a coach, leading the Flamengo professional squad three times: 1972/73, 1984/85, and 2000/2001. The latter was the most memorable, with the team winning its third state championship against Vasco da Gama, thanks to Petkovic's unforgettable and impeccable free kick in the 43rd minute of the second half. That was his penultimate title as Flamengo coach, the last being the Champions' Cup, when the Serbian once again gifted the Red-Black Nation with a beautiful free kick against São Paulo in the second leg of the finals. The Old Wolf remembers the moment fondly. "Thank God I was able to show my fellow countrymen (the final was played in Maceió) once again the strength of Flamengo. This Champions' Cup proved the title we won in our third state championship," he said. interview with the Official Website in July of this year.
In total, he led the team from the sidelines in 283 games, winning 137 and drawing 66. Among the titles were two Rio de Janeiro state championships (1972 and 2001), a Regional Champions Cup (2001), four Guanabara Cups (1972, 1973, 1984 and 2001), a People's Tournament (1972) and an International Summer Tournament (1972). What can also be considered a prize is his remarkable participation in the career of Flamengo's greatest idol: Zagallo was the coach when Zico definitively established himself as a starter, in 1973, when "Galinho" was just 20 years old. Twelve years later, in 1985, he was also at "Mais Querido" (Most Wanted), when Zico returned from Italy to wear the number 10 shirt again.
In August 2013, the Velho Lobo was honored, along with four other three-time champions from 1953-54-55, Esquerdinha, Índio, Paulinho, who died two months later, and Evaristo de Macedo, a group that had not seen each other for about 60 years.
Footnote: "Zagallo 83 years" has 13 characters.
A Brazilian football legend, "O Velho Lobo" started out at Mais Querido as a left winger when Fleitas Solich, Flamengo's coach in the 50s, demanded he return to assist left-back Jordan in marking, making him a pioneer among forwards who dropped back to defend. Zagallo repeated the role in the 1958 World Cup, which proved decisive in the Brazilian national team's first World Cup victory.
At Flamengo from 1951 to 1958, Zagallo defended the Red and Black in 218 games, scoring 30 goals. For the Gávea trophy room, the Wolf left three state championships (1953, 1954 and 1955), a Torneio Início (1952), a Torneio Internacional do Rio de Janeiro (1954 and 1955) and a Torneio Internacional do Morumbi (1957). Outside Brazil, he left his mark on several tours of the Rubro-Negro through neighboring countries and Europe, against great teams such as Boca Juniors-ARG (1953 and 1958), Combined Milan/Internazionale-ITA (1954), Werder Bremen-GER (1954), Estrela Vermelha-IUG (1955), Burnley-ING (1957) and Racing-ARG (1958).
With a brilliant career as an athlete behind him, Zagallo became a coach, leading the Flamengo professional squad three times: 1972/73, 1984/85, and 2000/2001. The latter was the most memorable, with the team winning its third state championship against Vasco da Gama, thanks to Petkovic's unforgettable and impeccable free kick in the 43rd minute of the second half. That was his penultimate title as Flamengo coach, the last being the Champions' Cup, when the Serbian once again gifted the Red-Black Nation with a beautiful free kick against São Paulo in the second leg of the finals. The Old Wolf remembers the moment fondly. "Thank God I was able to show my fellow countrymen (the final was played in Maceió) once again the strength of Flamengo. This Champions' Cup proved the title we won in our third state championship," he said. interview with the Official Website in July of this year.
In total, he led the team from the sidelines in 283 games, winning 137 and drawing 66. Among the titles were two Rio de Janeiro state championships (1972 and 2001), a Regional Champions Cup (2001), four Guanabara Cups (1972, 1973, 1984 and 2001), a People's Tournament (1972) and an International Summer Tournament (1972). What can also be considered a prize is his remarkable participation in the career of Flamengo's greatest idol: Zagallo was the coach when Zico definitively established himself as a starter, in 1973, when "Galinho" was just 20 years old. Twelve years later, in 1985, he was also at "Mais Querido" (Most Wanted), when Zico returned from Italy to wear the number 10 shirt again.
In August 2013, the Velho Lobo was honored, along with four other three-time champions from 1953-54-55, Esquerdinha, Índio, Paulinho, who died two months later, and Evaristo de Macedo, a group that had not seen each other for about 60 years.
Footnote: "Zagallo 83 years" has 13 characters.