Ronaldo says Zagallo was his best coach and a father – 01/06/2024 – Sport

In a tribute published this Saturday (6), Ronaldo stated that Zagallo was his best coach and a father to him. The former player wrote that he was lucky to be managed by Zagallo and to have had his mentorship.

“I’m lucky that I had your direction on the field — without a doubt, my best coach — and your mentoring beyond the four lines — Mario Jorge was also a father to me”, he posted on Instagram.

Ronaldo praised Zagallo’s greatness and highlighted the “extraordinary trajectory” and “unparalleled legacy” of the Old Wolf. “What he represents for the world, for the sport and for the country is of such an unusual dimension that, today, with his departure, many will talk about the end of an era. I will say differently: his era is eternal. Zagallo Eternal has 13 letters.”

“Thank you, master. I love you. Rest in peace,” he concluded in the post.

Zagallo died late this Friday night (5). He had been hospitalized since December 26 at the Barra D’Or hospital, in the west of Rio de Janeiro, and had multiple organ failure.

Ronaldo participated with Zagallo in the 1994, 1998 and 2002 World Cups, in addition to the 1996 Olympic Games. The player, then still called Ronaldinho, was experiencing the golden phase of his career.

In a remarkable episode in both their careers, the striker suffered a nervous breakdown in concentration, before the 1998 World Cup final, and had to be taken to a clinic for treatment. Zagallo even selected Edmundo, but retreated when Ronaldo appeared in the dressing room.

“Ronaldo arrived almost at the last minute and already came with socks, shorts… ready to play: ‘Zagallo, don’t take me out of this. For the love of God, don’t leave me out'”, said the former coach. He was attended to.

But neither Ronaldo nor Brazil found each other and had a poor performance. France, Zidane ahead, were easy champions, 3-0.