Brazilian football legend Socrates has died at the age of 57 it has been reported today.
The former Botafogo, São Paulo, Corinthians, Flamengo and Fiorentina player was taken to
hospital on Friday with food poisoning and later died through an intestinal infection.
Socrates was perhaps best known amongst football followers for his performances with the
Brazilian national team in the 1982 and 1986 FIFA World Cups and it is sad that he is one of few
Brazilians superstar players never to win a major tournament with the Seleção.
The Brazilian national championship has made a habit of last day climaxes in recent years and
this season's competition is no exception. Corinthians (Played 38, Points 71) won their fifth
Brasileiro tonight, their first league title since 2005, following a goalless draw against
arch rivals Palmeiras.
Socrates, the great Brazilian soccer maverick, has died at age 57. Those who saw him play were
moved by his style. He glided over the grass, his intelligence working the angles, carving space,
inspirational and beautiful. He was unlike the other midfield maestro of his era Maradona. The
Argentine was a short squat explosive; Socrates embodied elegance and poise, something special, the
man with the golden heel.
Watching the 1982 World Cup in my parent's basement, my brother and I pranced around our basement
trying to imitate the beauty of Socrates. No-look passes, flicks and back heels were introduced to
a growing soccer nation, and I was clearly swept up in it.
With the passing of the Brazilian midfielder this past weekend at the age of 57, Gabriele Marcotti
writes of the great playmaker and leader of the Brazilian football revolution.
Sao Paulo midfielder Lucas, who is wanted by a host of top European clubs, has ruled himself out of
a possible move to Manchester United in the near future, insisting that his desire is to remain in
Brazil for the foreseeable future.
The midfielder is being closely monitored by bitter rivals Liverpool, who will be relieved by the
news that Lucas is unwilling to negotiate for the moment, as Dalglish's side would almost certainly
represent a second choice for the in demand star.
South American football blog: A tribute to the legend that was Socrates
For the new season, MirrorFootball is teaming up with some of the blogosphere's best new writers
to bring you even more great football reads every single day. Saturday is South America day, and
here's I Like Football Me's Euan Marshall with his take on the week's big issues in the region.
2011 Year of the Neymar is a post from: Just Football
He struts with the cocksure swagger of a born star and not only that, he can play a bit too.
2011 can be seen as the year Neymar truly broke through on the world stage.
Just Football's man in Brazil Paulo Freitas looks back at the year of the mohawked
one:
Neymar has been hyped since he was a youth player, but he finally established himself as
Brazil's new big star in the 2011 season, shining in most competitions.
2011 Year of the Neymar is a post from: Just Football
He struts with the cocksure swagger of a born star and not only that, he can play a bit too.
2011 can be seen as the year Neymar truly broke through on the world stage.
Just Football's man in Brazil Paulo Freitas looks back at the year of the mohawked
one:
Neymar has been hyped since he was a youth player, but he finally established himself as
Brazil's new big star in the 2011 season, shining in most competitions.
A WINNER IN BRAZILIAN HEARTS SOCRATES
We were stuck in transit at an airport when the news broke that Brazilian football legend
Socrates passed away on Dec 4 and couldn't write a tribute to him in time. Many
football-loving fathers, brothers and grandads out there speak highly of this man whose legacy is
well-documented by the passion of the Brazilians.
