Lula declares 3 days of mourning for 'Old Wolf'

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva declared three days of national mourning on Saturday for four-time World Cup-winning legend Mario Zagallo, a day after his death at age 92.

Lula led a flood of tributes to the man known as the "Old Wolf", who coached Brazil's 1970 World Cup-winning side starring Pele — considered by many the greatest team in history — and served as assistant coach when the Selecao repeated the feat in 1994.

"He was one of the greatest football players and coaches of all time," Lula said in a statement.

"Courageous, passionate... (he) leaves a lesson of love, dedication and the will to overcome for our country — and for world football."

Messages also poured in from around the soccer world.

"Zagallo's influence on football, and Brazilian football in particular, is supreme," said FIFA chief Gianni Infantino.

Infantino called the diminutive left winger a "tactical genius", underlining his role in four of soccer powerhouse Brazil's record five World Cup titles.

"He will be remembered as the godfather of Brazilian football and his presence will be sorely missed...The story of the FIFA World Cup cannot be told without Mario Zagallo," Infantino said.

The only other men to win the World Cup as both player and coach are Franz Beckenbauer of Germany (1974 and 1990) and Didier Deschamps of France (1998 and 2018).

Current and former players also paid their respects, including Brazilian World Cup winners Ronaldinho, Romario, Bebeto, Taffarel and Cafu.

"Thank you for everything, Professor!!! Rest in peace," Ronaldinho posted on Instagram, alongside a photo of him and Zagallo.

"He's as important as Pele," Romario told journalists.

"Today is a sad day for football."

"Thank you for everything, LEGEND," current Brazil and Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

AFP