Sports
Football Legend Mario Zagallo Passes Away At 92
Brazilian football mourns the loss of Mario Zagallo, a true icon in the sport and the first individual to achieve the remarkable feat of winning the FIFA World Cup both as a player and a coach.
Zagallo, aged 92, breathed his last on Friday.
He played a pivotal role in Brazil’s ascent to global football supremacy, standing as the sole survivor from the victorious 1958 World Cup team. This triumph, which marked Brazil’s first title, served as redemption for the nation after a heart-wrenching defeat to Uruguay eight years earlier.
Recalling the somber atmosphere of that defeat, Zagallo expressed, “I’ll never forget the silence, the sadness and the disappointment of that defeat.”
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Despite the pain, Zagallo contributed significantly to Brazil’s football legacy, leaving his mark on four of the country’s five World Cup victories. His partnership with legendary teammate Pele, who passed away in December 2022, remains etched in football history.
Starting as an amateur in the 1950s, Zagallo, a diminutive left winger, epitomized Brazil’s commitment to blending attacking flair with defensive prowess. His journey included five Rio de Janeiro state championships with Flamengo and Botafogo, and he earned 37 caps for Brazil.
Zagallo’s impact extended beyond his playing days, transitioning seamlessly into coaching. He led Brazil to their third World Cup triumph in 1970, inheriting a talented squad that included Pele, Carlos Alberto, Jairzinho, and Rivelino.
His coaching prowess reached international heights as he guided Kuwait to Gulf Cup success in 1976 and reached the Asian Cup final the same year. Zagallo’s tireless pursuit of glory continued, contributing to Brazil’s 1994 World Cup victory as technical director alongside Carlos Alberto Perreira.
The football maestro faced heartbreak in 1998, narrowly missing a fifth World Cup triumph when Brazil, led by the pre-eminent Ronaldo, suffered a 3-0 defeat to hosts France.
Zagallo’s enduring legacy earned him the role of caretaker for Luiz Felipe Scolari after Brazil’s fifth World Cup victory in 2002.
“He was one of the greatest Brazilian players of his generation and, after winning the World Cup four times, he has left a permanent mark on Brazilian football,” remarked Ronaldo, affectionately nicknaming Zagallo “The Professor.”
Zagallo’s wife of 57 years, Alcina de Castro, preceded him in death in 2012, marking the end of an era for a man who devoted his life to the beautiful game.
In a significant development for Nigerian football, former Super Eagles winger Finidi George has been appointed as the new head coach of the nation’s senior men’s national team.
This decision, announced by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Monday, follows the endorsement of its Technical and Development Committee.
George, a 52-year-old former player for Ajax Amsterdam and Real Betis, previously served as an assistant to outgoing coach José Santos Peseiro.
He took on the role of interim coach after Peseiro’s departure following the Super Eagles’ impressive performance in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
During his interim tenure, George oversaw two friendly matches in Morocco, where the team secured a historic 2-1 victory against Ghana but suffered a 0-2 loss to Mali.
The NFF statement reads, “George, a member of the so-styled ‘Golden Generation’ that won the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Tunisia and emerged as the second most entertaining team in Nigeria’s debut at the FIFA World Cup finals in USA the same year, won 62 caps for Nigeria, including featuring at the 1994 and 1998 FIFA World Cup finals.”
The statement commemorating George’s appointment as the new head coach of Nigeria’s senior men’s national team also paid tribute to his esteemed playing career.
It underscored George’s remarkable achievements, including securing gold, silver, and bronze medals from the 1992, 1994, 2000, and 2002 AFCON tournaments.
Additionally, the statement fondly recalled one of George’s defining moments when he assisted Rashidi Yekini, may he rest in peace, in netting Nigeria’s inaugural FIFA World Cup goal against Bulgaria in Dallas, USA, on June 19, 1994.
The newly appointed Super Eagles boss faces an immediate challenge as he prepares to lead the team in two pivotal 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against South Africa and the Benin Republic.
Set to take place in Uyo and Abidjan within the next five weeks, these matches are deemed must-win encounters, as emphasized by the Nigeria Football Federation statement.
With the Super Eagles currently trailing behind in third place in Group C of the African campaign, behind Rwanda and South Africa, securing victories in these upcoming fixtures is imperative for the team’s advancement in the competition.
Thiago Silva has confirmed his departure from Chelsea, marking the end of his four-year journey at Stamford Bridge.
The announcement was shared on the club’s official website on Monday.
In a poignant farewell message to the fans, Thiago reflected, “Chelsea means a lot to me. I came here with the intention of only staying for a year and it ended up being four years. Not just for me but for my family, too.”
‘My sons play for Chelsea so it’s a source of great pride to be a part of the Chelsea family – literally because my sons are here. I hope they can continue their careers here at this victorious club that many players wish to be part of.
‘I think in everything I did here over the four years, I always gave my all. But, unfortunately, everything has a start, a middle and an end. That doesn’t mean that this is a definitive end.
“I hope to leave the door open so that in the near future I can return, albeit in another role here. But…it’s an indescribable love. I can only say thank you.”
Barcelona has been fined 25,000 euros ($26,680) by UEFA on Thursday for the racist conduct of their fans during the Champions League quarter-final first leg against Paris Saint-Germain.
Alongside the fine, Barcelona faces a suspended ban on selling tickets to their supporters for their next away European match.
The tie concluded with Barcelona’s defeat, losing 6-4 on aggregate after PSG secured a 4-1 victory in the second leg.
Following the incident, Paris police questioned two individuals after videos emerged on social media showing one fan making monkey noises and another performing Nazi salutes at the Parc des Princes on April 10th.
UEFA said “The UEFA Appeals Body has decided to fine FC Barcelona 25,000 euros and to ban the FC Barcelona from selling tickets to its away supporters for its next UEFA competition match, for the racist behaviour of its supporters.
“Said ban from selling tickets to its away supporters is suspended for a probationary period of one year, starting from the date of the present decision.” It added
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