"Let's go after sixth star": Brazil pays tribute to legends Pele, Zagallo before FIFA WC opener
New Jersey, June 14
Brazil football paid a tribute to two of their biggest legends, Pele and Mario Zagallo, ahead of their FIFA World Cup 2026 opener against Morocco on Saturday.
The official handle of Brazil football noted how this tournament marks the first FIFA World Cup after the deaths of Pele (in December 2022) and Zagallo (in January 2024). The post encouraged the fans and players to "believe" and chase the record-breaking sixth star on their shirt, for the legends who wore the team's vibrant yellow colours at the height of their success.
"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," posted the Brazil football handle on X.
Pele won the FIFA World Cup with Brazil in 1958, 1962 and 1970 editions, making it the most FIFA WC wins by a single player. He scored a brace in the 1958 World Cup final against Sweden, winning the match 5-2 and scored six goals in the tournament, second-highest next to France's Just Fontaine (13). While Pele could score just one goal in the next edition, Brazil managed to make it back-to-back WC titles with a 3-1 win over then-Czechoslovakia. In the 1970 final, the legendary Brazilian scored the opening goal in the country's 4-1 win over Italy in the final. He scored a total of four goals in the tournament. He passed away at the age of 82 following a cancer battle.
On the other hand, Zagallo captured the 1958 and 1962 FIFA World Cups with Brazil as a player, the 1970 edition as a manager and the 1994 edition as a coordinator with the team.
Zagallo scored his lone goal of the 1958 edition in the final, while he also found the net once in the next edition of the tournament. The Brazilian legend passed away in January 2024 at the age of 92 and was the last surviving member of the 1958 final team before his death.
— ANI
Reader Comments
As a football fan from the US, I'm honestly moved by this. Brazil's connection to its legends is so deep - Pele and Zagallo literally defined Brazilian football. Can't believe this is the first World Cup without them. Hope the players make them proud 🏆
In India, we lost our own legends like P.K. Banerjee and Chuni Goswami in recent years. I know how it feels to go into a tournament without your icons watching from the sidelines. Zagallo's contribution as player, manager and coordinator is unmatched - he was like a one-man army for Brazil for decades.
The timing is poetic - starting the World Cup on the 13th, just like Pele's iconic number. I'm not usually sentimental about sports, but this gave me goosebumps. The yellow jersey carries so much history.
Honestly, I wish our Indian football team had even 10% of this passion for their history. Brazil knows how to honour their legends. Pele's 1970 performance in the final against Italy was flawless - opening goal in a 4-1 win. Pure class. Hope Neymar and the boys channel that energy this time.
I'm a bit critical of Brazil's recent performances, but this tribute shows they understand what it means to wear the yellow jersey. Zagallo being the last survivor of the 1958 final team makes his passing even more poignant. They need to win it for these two men.
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