Brazil football legend Socrates dead
December 5, 2011 - 8:10AM
Former Brazil great Socrates, the clever playmaker who captained the country at the 1982 World Cup, died on Sunday. He was 57.
Known for his elegant style on the field and his deep involvement with Brazilian politics, Socrates died of septic shock resulting from an intestinal infection, according to a statement by the Albert Einstein hospital. He had been rushed to the hospital on Saturday - the third time in four months - and had been in critical condition in an intensive care unit, breathing with the help of a ventilator. The hospital said Socrates died at 4.30am Brazilian time.
Socrates was twice hospitalised and placed in intensive care in the last few months, most recently in September. Both times he was admitted for a haemorrhage caused by high pressure in the vein that carries blood from the digestive system to the liver. Socrates acknowledged being a heavy drinker, even when he starred as a player in the 1980s, but said he stopped drinking earlier this year after his stints in the hospital.
Dozens of Brazilian footballers expressed their sadness on Twitter moments after Socrates' death was announced. "Sad start to the day," retired Brazil striker Ronaldo wrote. "Rest in peace Dr. Socrates." Former Brazil and Barcelona playmaker Rivaldo added on his Twitter page: "Sad to wake up and find out that Socrates has died." The Brazilian football federation said the final round of the Brazilian league on Sunday will be played in Socrates' honour. All matches will be preceded by a minute of silence. Corinthians, the team that featured Socrates at the height of his career, needs a draw against rival Palmeiras to win the title. Corinthians' main fan group said it will honour its former star throughout the day. Fiorentina, another of Socrates' former clubs, said it would hold a minute of silence and wear black armbands in his honour for Sunday's Italian league match with Roma. "He was a very dynamic player with a sublime foot but most of all great intelligence," said former Italy forward Paolo Rossi, who scored a memorable hat-trick against Brazil and Socrates at the 1982 World Cup.
"Along with Zico and Falcao he was the symbol of that Brazil squad." Socrates seemed like a player from another era. "You couldn't place him in any category - on the pitch and even more so off it. Everyone knew about his degree in medicine and he had a lot of cultural and social interests as well." "He was unique from every point of view."
Indeed, Socrates stood out on and off the field. He became a doctor after retiring from football and later became a popular TV commentator and columnist, always with unique and controversial opinions. He never denied his fondness for drinking, from the time he was a player until his final days. Since his playing days, Socrates never kept his political ideas to himself and often wrote about the subject in his columns.
The tall full-bearded playmaker captained Brazil in the 1982 World Cup in Spain and was a member of the squad in 1986 in Mexico. The 1982 Brazil team became widely known as the best not to win a World Cup with players like Zico and Falcao, they lost to Italy 3-2 in the second round despite needing only a draw to advance to the semi-finals.
Socrates was included in FIFA's list of the best 125 living footballers in the world, a list compiled by countryman Pele. Socrates played 63 matches with the national team, scoring 25 goals.
