Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has declared three days of national mourning for four-time World Cup-winning football legend Mario Zagallo, a day after his death at age 92. Zagallo, who played alongside Pele in Brazil\u2019s 1958 and 1962 World Cup-winning teams and later won the trophy as a coach, died on Friday of multiple organ failure, said the Barra D\u2019Or Hospital in Rio de Janeiro, where he had been treated for a series of health problems in recent months. Lula led a flood of tributes to the man known as the \u201cOld Wolf\u201d, who coached Brazil\u2019s 1970 World Cup-winning side starring Pele \u2013 considered by many the greatest team in history \u2013 and served as assistant coach when the \u201cSelecao\u201d repeated the feat in 1994. \u201cHe was one of the greatest football players and coaches of all time,\u201d Lula said in a statement. \u201cCourageous, passionate\u2026 [he] leaves a lesson of love, dedication and the will to overcome for our country \u2013 and for world football.\u201d Messages also poured in from around the football world. \u201cZagallo\u2019s influence on football, and Brazilian football in particular, is supreme,\u201d said FIFA chief Gianni Infantino. Infantino called the diminutive left winger a \u201ctactical genius\u201d, underlining his role in four of football powerhouse Brazil\u2019s five World Cup titles \u2013 more than anyone in history. \u201cHe will be remembered as the Godfather of Brazilian football and his presence will be sorely missed\u2026 The story of the FIFA World Cup cannot be told without Mario Zagallo,\u201d Infantino said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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