Brazil Says Farewell to Late Football Legend Mario Zagallo
Brazilians paid their condolences on Sunday to football hero Mario Zagallo, a four-time World Cup winner and coach who died at the age of 92.
On Sunday, Brazilians paid their tribute to football star Mario Zagallo, a four-time World Cup-winning player and coach who died at the age of 92 and was the last member of one of the country’s finest generations in the cherished sport.
A steady stream of mourners, dressed in black, the yellow of the Brazilian national team, or the colors of the numerous clubs where Zagallo played and coached, filed past his coffin at the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) headquarters, whose facade featured a giant banner in his honor.
Brazil’s record five World Cup trophies were on display near the lace-draped coffin. Zagallo, a small left-wing famed for his tactical acumen, was involved in four of them, more than any other player in football history.
The “Professor,” as he was called, was a member of Brazil’s World Cup-winning teams in 1958 and 1962.
He later coached Pele’s 1970 world champion squad, widely regarded as the best team in history, and served as an assistant coach when the “Selecao” repeated the feat in 1994.
“We’ve lost a sporting legend,” Bebeto, a member of the 1994 squad, stated.
“He was my second father,” he told journalists, echoing fellow World Cup champion Cafu (1994 and 2002).
Others who paid their tributes included former Brazil coach Tite and CBF president Ednaldo Rodrigues, who delivered an emotional embrace to Zagallo’s son Mario Cesar.
‘Only one Zagallo’
Claudio Auvarenga, a 64-year-old driver, arrived early to be among the first to walk by the casket.
“You can travel the world and only find one Zagallo.” “No one else in history has won four World Cups,” he told AFP.
Eliana Gaia, 66, Zagallo’s longtime aide, described him as a “human being without equal.”
“He was a magnificent person, a hero,” she went on to say.
Following a public wake and a private service, Zagallo’s casket was lifted atop a bright red fire truck for a funeral cortege through Rio de Janeiro’s streets, as a small gathering of supporters applauded and shouted.
He was later laid to rest in the Sao Joao Batista cemetery, which is home to some of Brazil’s most famous individuals.
Zagallo died on Friday from multiple organ failure, following a string of health issues in recent months.
From Saturday, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has designated three days of national mourning.
Tributes from the football world have also flooded in.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino referred to Zagallo as a “tactical genius,” World Cup winners Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, and Romario praised him, and current Brazil and Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior simply referred to him as a “LEGEND.”
Only Franz Beckenbauer of Germany (1974 and 1990) and Didier Deschamps of France (1998 and 2018) have won the World Cup as both player and coach.
Nostalgia for the good old days
Zagallo is remembered for his warm humor, strong superstition (he swore by the number 13), and fierce passion for the game.
After the famous Pele died in December 2022 at the age of 82, he was the only surviving starter from Brazil’s first World Cup-winning team in 1958.
The defeat comes at a terrible time in Brazilian football.
Brazil fired national team coach Fernando Diniz on Friday after the “Selecao,” who were missing injured sensation Neymar, suffered a humiliating string of losses in World Cup qualifiers.
Brazil is presently sixth in South American qualifying.
Dorival Junior, the coach of Sao Paulo, has been nominated to take over as coach of Brazil, according to the club, though the CBF has yet to confirm this.
CBF chief Rodrigues, who was reinstalled in the role on Thursday amid a lengthy legal struggle over the confederation’s leadership, told journalists at the wake that he “just want(ed) to talk about Zagallo today.”
“This is a time to talk about this legend of Brazilian and world football,” he went on to say.
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── ୨୧ ! 𝗘𝗚𝗚𝗦 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗚𝗡𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗬
𝒎𝒂𝒕𝒕 𝒔𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒏𝒊𝒐𝒍𝒐 x reader
SUMMARY: Where Matt uses his loss on the egg challenge as an excuse to reveal Y/N's pregnancy to his brothers.
WARNING: Pregnancy, crying.
REQUESTED?: Yes, by anon.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: That is my work, I DON'T authorize any plagiarism, copy, or "inspiration"! | English isn't my first language, so I'm sorry if there's any grammar error.
A/N²: I've decided to post it today since it's Father's Day on Brazil! Unfortunately, I had to write it in a rush, so I'm sorry if it's not that good ;(
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Matt, Nick, and Chris had spent the morning engaged in their latest YouTube challenge; a seemingly simple task of caring for an egg as if it were their own child. What had started as a lighthearted competition quickly turned into something more meaningful, though none of them knew it yet.
Nick leaned back in his chair, his arms folded behind his head, exuding confidence as he glanced at the table. His egg sat intact in front of him, a proud reminder of his victory. He smirked at Matt, who sat across from him, his egg conspicuously absent, the pieces of it having already been swept into the trash.
"Well, Matt, it looks like you lost." Nick teased, his voice dripping with mock sympathy. His grin widened, knowing exactly how to get under his brother's skin.
Chris, sitting at the other end of the table, tried to suppress his laughter but failed, the sound escaping as a snort. He leaned forward, resting his chin in his hand, his eyes twinkling with amusement.
"Seriously, dude, how did you even have the courage to throw your egg after knowing that it was already cracked?"
But instead of a witty comeback or a defensive retort, Matt remained silent. His usually quick tongue was stilled, and his shoulders slumped slightly as he stared at the table in front of him. His brothers’ laughter echoed around the kitchen, but Matt seemed miles away.
From her spot by the kitchen counter, Y/N observed the scene unfold, her smile soft and her eyes filled with affection as she watched the brothers banter. She had always loved these moments, the way they could turn the simplest tasks into something fun and full of life. But today, something was different. Matt wasn’t joining in the laughter, and the silence coming from him made her heart tighten with concern.
Matt’s eyes met Y/N’s across the room, and for a brief moment, everything else faded away. Her smile faltered, replaced by a look of curiosity and worry as she noticed the unspoken emotion in his gaze. It wasn’t defeat or frustration over the challenge; it was something deeper, something that made her heart skip a beat. What was he thinking? What was he hiding?
Nick’s voice cut through the tension, snapping Matt out of his thoughts.
"Come on, Matt, admit it. You’re just not cut out for fatherhood." Nick joked, his tone light but teasing.
Chris chimed in, leaning back in his chair with a playful grin.
"Yeah, maybe it’s a good thing you’re not a dad yet."
The words, meant in jest, struck Matt like a physical blow. He inhaled sharply, his gaze flickering to Y/N once more, and this time, her eyes widened in realization. Her hand instinctively moved to her stomach, a small, unconscious gesture that Matt had seen her do countless times since they discovered the news. It was a habit she had developed; whenever she felt nervous, excited, or overwhelmed, her hand would rest there, a protective touch that spoke of the new life growing inside her.
Matt took a deep breath, turning his gaze back to his brothers.
"My egg 'broke,' so technically, I lost-" Matt began, his voice quiet, almost detached as he tried to find the right words.
Nick interrupted him, raising an eyebrow in confusion as he imitated Matt’s air quotes.
"'Broke'? Motherfucker, it broke." His voice was full of bewilderment, unsure of why Matt was choosing to word it that way.
But Matt wasn’t paying attention to Nick’s teasing anymore. He pushed back his chair and stood up, the scraping of the legs against the floor breaking the comfortable rhythm of the morning. All eyes were on him as he walked over to the counter, where Y/N stood, her breath caught in her throat as she looked up at him. He leaned against the counter, positioning himself next to her, his hand brushing against hers in a silent exchange of comfort and support.
Nick and Chris exchanged puzzled glances, the playful atmosphere from moments ago now replaced with a sense of anticipation. Matt was rarely this serious, especially during their videos, and the change in his demeanor left them both on edge.
"What’s going on, Matt?" Chris asked, his voice steady but laced with curiosity, his arms crossing over his chest as he studied his brother.
Matt took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the moment pressing down on him. He and Y/N had talked about how to break the news to Nick and Chris for days. They had planned it out, imagined different scenarios, and rehearsed how it might go. But now, standing here in the kitchen with the camera still rolling, Matt realized that all those plans didn’t matter. There was no perfect way to tell them; there was only the truth.
"I didn’t lose." Matt said, his voice stronger now, filled with emotion that he could no longer hide. He took a step closer to Y/N, his hand finding hers and squeezing it gently. His eyes never left his brothers as he spoke. "My baby is safe and sound... right in the oven."
The words hung in the air for a moment, the meaning not immediately sinking in for Nick and Chris. They blinked, their expressions mirroring each other’s confusion as they tried to make sense of what Matt had just said.
"The oven?" Nick repeated, glancing around the kitchen. "What the fuck are you talking about?"
Chris frowned, his gaze following Nick’s to the actual oven, which was clearly off.
"Matt, what are you-"
But before Chris could finish, Matt shook his head and smiled softly, a smile that held all the love and anticipation he had been carrying for weeks. He gently guided Y/N’s hand to her stomach, the gesture so tender and full of meaning that it spoke louder than any words ever could.
"The oven," Matt repeated, his voice a whisper now, thick with emotion. "Right here."
It was as if time stopped. Nick and Chris froze, their eyes widening in sync as the realization finally hit them. The weight of Matt’s words, the significance of the gesture; it all came crashing down on them at once.
"Wait... are you saying...?" Nick’s voice trailed off, the disbelief evident in every syllable.
Y/N looked up at Matt, her eyes shining with tears that she had been holding back for days. She nodded, her voice trembling with joy and nerves as she finally let the words out, the truth she had been dying to share.
"We’re pregnant." She whispered, her voice breaking with emotion. "I’m pregnant."
For a heartbeat, the kitchen was silent. The camera continued to record, capturing every second of the moment that would change their lives forever.
And then, all at once, the emotions erupted.
Chris was the first to react. His eyes filled with tears that spilled over the rims, his face a mix of shock, joy, and overwhelming love. He stood up so abruptly that his chair almost fell, forgotten as he crossed the room in two long strides. Without a word, he pulled Matt and Y/N into a tight embrace, his arms encircling them both as he buried his face in Matt’s shoulder, his body trembling with sobs.
"Oh my God." Chris whispered, his voice cracking with the force of his emotions. "I can’t believe it. You’re going to be a dad, Matt. And Y/N... you’re going to be a mom."
Y/N found herself laughing through her own tears, the sound mixing with her soft sobs as she wrapped her arms around Chris, resting her head against his. She could feel Matt’s warm hand on her back, holding her close, grounding her in the moment.
"We were going to tell you guys differently, but..." Y/N’s voice faltered, the words catching in her throat as she tried to speak. Her lip quivered as she bit down on it, trying to hold back the fresh wave of tears that threatened to spill over.
Nick, who had been frozen in shock, finally seemed to snap out of it. He looked at Matt, then at Y/N, and back to Matt again, as if needing to confirm that this was real. His eyes were wide, his jaw slack, but then, slowly, a wide, joyous grin spread across his face.
"Holy shit!" Nick exclaimed, his voice full of excitement as he jumped up from his chair, his movements so sudden that it clattered to the floor. He didn’t care. All he could focus on was the fact that his brother was going to be a father. That they were going to be uncles.
Nick rushed over to join the group hug, wrapping his arms around the three of them and squeezing as hard as he could, his voice cracking with the intensity of his emotions.
"This is insane! I can’t believe we’re going to be uncles. Oh my God, Chris, we’re going to be uncles!"
Chris pulled back just enough to look at Nick, their faces mirroring the same shock and joy.
"Yes, you are." Y/N whispered, her voice filled with warmth and love. "You and Chris are going to be the best uncles in the world."
Matt couldn’t hold back the tears anymore. He let them fall freely as he wrapped his arms around his brothers, holding them tight, feeling a surge of love and gratitude that left him breathless. This wasn’t the way they had planned it, but it felt right. It felt perfect. He could feel Chris’s shoulders shaking as he cried, and when he finally pulled back to look at his brothers, he saw the same tears in Nick’s eyes.
Chris wiped his eyes with the back of his hand, a huge, teary grin spreading across his face.
"You sneaky bastards." He said, his voice still thick with his crying. "You kept this from us!"
"We wanted to surprise you." Matt said, finally finding her voice again, though it was still shaky with laughter and tears. "But I just couldn’t wait."
Nick looked at him, his grin turning mischievous.
"So, technically, you didn’t lose the challenge, huh?"
Matt chuckled, shrugging as he looked at the Y/N glued to his side.
"Nope, I didn’t lose. I think I actually won something even better."
Chris wiped at his eyes again, sniffling as he looked at Y/N, his expression soft and full of love.
"You two are going to be amazing parents. This little one is so lucky to have you."
Y/N reached out and took Chris’s hand, squeezing it tightly as she smiled through her tears.
"Thank you, Chris. That means the world to us."
Nick clapped his hands together, the grin never leaving his face.
"Well, I guess this calls for a celebration, huh? Let’s order some food and make this the best day ever."
They all agreed, the room filling with the sound of their joy, and as they gathered around the kitchen table, Matt couldn’t help but feel like the luckiest man in the world.
He looked at Y/N, who was beaming at him, her eyes still sparkling with tears, and ge couldn’t help but think that this was the best video they’d ever made; not because of the challenge, but because it captured a moment that would change their lives forever.
༻﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡༺
Extra - comments
"this has to be the best twist ever 😭😭 I was NOT expecting Matt to drop that bombshell at ALLLL"
"omg, they're going to be such amazing parents 🥺"
"chris’s reaction had me in TEARS!!! the way he just broke down crying when he realized he’s going to be an uncle… this is why I love them so much, they're so genuine 😞"
"nick’s face when he finally understood what matt meant by ‘the oven’ LMAOOO"
"FUCK NO, I was laughing so hard during the egg challenge, and then I ended up crying when matt revealed Y/N is pregnant 🤧"
"matt is going to be the greatest dad out there, I just know it 🙏🏻"
"who cares about a fucking broken egg when you’ve got a real baby on the way 😩"
"when matt said the baby was in the oven, I thought he was joking about the egg, I did NOT see that coming 🤡"
"please guys, let me in the group hug 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻"
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