Brazilian football legend Mario Zagallo dies at 92

Mario Zagallo of Brazil, part of four World Cup-winning Brazilian contingents as either player or coach, died at 92 years old, a statement on his official Instagram account said on Saturday.

"With enormous sadness, we inform you of the death of our eternal four-time world champion Mario Jorge Lobo Zagallo," the statement read. "A devoted father, loving grandfather, caring father-in-law, faithful friend, victorious professional and a great human being. Giant idol. A patriot who leaves us a legacy of great achievements."

Zagallo played as a winger for Brazil in 33 games, scoring four goals and five assists. At the sixth edition of the World Cup in Sweden in 1958, he witnessed the rise of Pele, who led Canarinha (Little Canary) to their first title. Moreover, Zagallo scored one goal and one assist in their 5-2 win over hosts Sweden in the final at Rasunda Stadium in Stockholm on June 29, 1958.

At the 1962 World Cup in Chile, the reigning champions lost their best player, Pele, to injury during the group stage. Zagallo shouldered a bigger role for Brazil at the tournament with one goal and four assists. Meanwhile, he was there, beholding the short but dazzling highlight of Garrincha, who brought home the second World Cup championship.

When Brazil traveled to Mexico to participate in the World Cup in 1970, Zagallo was the team's manager and nicknamed "The Professor." His team had one of the most dominant lineups in football history. They scored 19 goals and won all six games, including beating Italy 4-1 in the final.

That victory made Zagallo the first person in history to win the World Cup both as a player and as a manager. His legendary career continued since then, as he won the trophy for the fourth time in the U.S. in 1994, when he was an assistant manager of Brazil. Four years later, Zagallo reached the World Cup final for the fifth time with Brazil, this time as manager, but lost to hosts France.

"We offer solidarity to his family members and fans in this moment of grief for the departure of this great hero of our soccer," Brazilian Football Confederation President Ednaldo Rodrigues said in a statement.