Brazil football paid a heartfelt tribute to two of its greatest legends, Pele and Mario Zagallo, ahead of their FIFA World Cup 2026 opener against Morocco on Saturday. The match, held in New Jersey, marks the first World Cup since the passing of Pele in December 2022 and Zagallo in January 2024.
Brazil's emotional message
The official Brazil football handle on X posted a message encouraging fans and players to believe and chase a record-breaking sixth star on their shirt, for the legends who wore the vibrant yellow colors at the peak of their success. The post read: "Today begins another World Cup. The first without Pele. The first without Zagallo. But every time the yellow-and-green takes the field, they enter with it. And get this: today is the 13th. So you already know. Let's believe. Let's go after the sixth star. For Brazil. For them."
Pele's legacy
Pele won the FIFA World Cup with Brazil in 1958, 1962, and 1970, making him the player with the most World Cup wins. In the 1958 final, he scored a brace against Sweden, leading Brazil to a 5-2 victory, and finished the tournament with six goals, second only to France's Just Fontaine (13). In 1962, Pele scored just one goal, but Brazil secured back-to-back titles with a 3-1 win over Czechoslovakia. In the 1970 final, he opened the scoring in a 4-1 victory over Italy, contributing four goals in the tournament. Pele passed away at age 82 after battling cancer.
Zagallo's contributions
Mario Zagallo won the World Cup with Brazil as a player in 1958 and 1962, as a manager in 1970, and as a coordinator in 1994. He scored his only goal of the 1958 edition in the final and also found the net once in 1962. Zagallo passed away in January 2024 at age 92, and was the last surviving member of the 1958 final team before his death.
