Dec04

Socrates the Brazilian Soccer Legend Dies Aged 57

Posted by James on Dec 4, 2011 in Football, Sports | 0 comments

Socrates, the former Brazilian soccer captain has died in Sao Paulo aged 57.

Socrates had been admitted to intensive care on Friday suffering from an infection of the intestines and passed away over the weekend.

He had already been taken to hospital twice in the last 6 months with internal bleeding and had admitted that he had problems in the past with alcohol abuse and smoking.

Socrates was widely considered to be one of the best midfielders to ever play the game of soccer. He won 60 caps for Brazil between 1979 and 1986 and played in 2 world cups.

Socrates was a tall player even for a sportsman at 6’4″ and possessed the physical strength to match his two footed technical skills.

He was also able to read the game and was blessed with vision to pick a pass and see the bigger picture of what was happening in a game. He could do the hard work as well as show the silky skills.

Personally I remember the 1982 World Cup very well and a particular goal that Socrates scored in that world cup.

He ghosted past the first tackle, dummied to shoot flooring another player and then unleashed a right foot shot from well outside the penalty area that fizzed into the top corner.