Former Brazilian footballer Mario Zagallo passed away aged 92 after his death was confirmed in a post on his official Instagram account on Saturday
Zagallo coached the 1970 Brazilian football team, which was considered by many to be the best ever.
“It is with great regret that we announce the passing of our eternal world champion Mario Jorge Lobo Zagallo,” the post on Instagram said.
“A devoted father, loving grandfather, caring father-in-law, faithful friend, victorious professional and a great human being. Giant idol. A patriot who leaves us a legacy of great achievements.”
Left winger Zagallo was part of the team that won Brazil's first World Cup in 1958 and was in the squad that retained the title in 1962.
During his playing days, Zagallo made a name for himself through his unique mix of attacking flamboyance and defensive solidity.
He coached the team that included some of the greatest players like Pele, Jairzinho, Rivellino and Tostao and clinched Brazil's third World Cup in Mexico in 1970.
He was assistant coach when Brazil bagged their fourth title in 1994 in the United States.
He was the first person in the sport to win a World Cup as both a player and a manager.
His Brazilian fans loved him for his idiosyncratic personality and unapologetic nationalism. He liked to say he was born with victory at his side and was rarely shy to challenge those who said his teams were too defensive.
One of his most famous outbursts came after Brazil won the Copa America in Bolivia in 1997. His team were unfancied but when the final whistle went, an emotional Zagallo, his face red thanks to the rarified air of La Paz, screamed into the television cameras: "You're going to have to put up with me!"
The phrase is still frequently repeated by Brazilians in all walks of life celebrating vindication.
Zagallo was also known for being highly superstitious and believed the number 13 brought him luck. He liked to coin phrases that contained 13 letters, he got married on the 13th of the month, and once even joked he would retire from the game at 13:00 on July 13, 2013.
He married in 1955 to Alcina de Castro and remained with her until her death in 2012. The couple had four children.
— Additional input from Reuters
