Lula regrets Zagallo’s death and says that the former athlete was an example

The president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva regretted the death of former player Mario Jorge Lobo Zagallo, yesterday, at 92 years old. According to the president, Zagallo “was an example of a Brazilian who never gave up.”

“Mario Jorge Lobo Zagallo was one of the greatest football players and coaches of all time, a great winner and symbol of love for the Brazilian team and Brazil”, wrote the president on X, formerly Twitter, this Saturday morning.

In the publication, Lula cited the trajectory of the former player, the only four-time world champion. “Greatest individual winner in the history of the World Cup, being champion twice as a player, champion and runner-up as a coach and champion as national team coordinator in 1994. The only one to participate in four world cups, he managed the greatest football team in history , the Brazilian team of 1970”, he wrote.

In the message, the head of the federal Executive classified Zagallo as courageous, dedicated, passionate and superstitious – he was obsessed with the number 13. “Zagalo was an example of a Brazilian who never gave up. It’s this lesson and spirit of affection, love, dedication and overcoming that he leaves for our entire country and for world football”, he commented.

At the end of the publication, Lula expressed solidarity with the former player’s family, friends and administrators.

The death was announced on Zagallo’s official Instagram profile last night. With his health weakening, the former player has been hospitalized several times in recent years. He had been admitted to Barra DOr Hospital since December 26th. The cause of death was multiple organ failure.