I have always thought that one (of the many) reasons that I did not become a footballer was because I am too intelligent. In fact, as has often been the case, with some notable exceptions (Jorge Valdano, Socrates, Ruud Gullit....), intelligent footballers seems to be more the exception that the rule, and at a time when the media scrutiny is so intense, the demand on a bit of brains in footballers

Carles Puyol pulled off an incredible double roulette during Barcelona's 1-1 Copa Del Rey 1st leg draw with Valencia in a move which mimicked French legend Zinedine Zidane Classy stuff from the Barca centre-back who put in a superb display for Pep Guardiola's men. It was one of them 'did I just see that?

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.

With an evil grin we at In The Stands have rummaged through our video archives to showcase what must be the worst female goalkeeper ever as woman's football gets scrutinized! We do not know her name and frankly we don't care, but we certainly do enjoy watching the video. Not for the eye candy, [...

Belatedly, a roundup of links regarding the passing of Brazilian great Socrates a couple weeks ago: Remembering Brazil's Soccer Philosopher King, penned by Gabriele Marcotti, appeared in the WSJ the day after his death:

Sunday [December 4] morning marked the passing of Socrates Brasileiro Sampaio de Souza Vieira de Oliveira, better known simply as Socrates.

Belatedly, a roundup of links regarding the passing of Brazilian great Socrates a couple weeks ago: Remembering Brazil's Soccer Philosopher King, penned by Gabriele Marcotti, appeared in the WSJ the day after his death:

Sunday [December 4] morning marked the passing of Socrates Brasileiro Sampaio de Souza Vieira de Oliveira, better known simply as Socrates.

The death of long time North Korean leader Kim Jung Il was greeted with shed loads of tears by North Koreans living within the secretive Communist state. Kim Jung Il's death has also triggered memories of Jong Sae-Te's heart-wrenching tears before North Korea's match with Brazil at World Cup 2010. It was eye-opening stuff and [.

06.11.2011 - Un duelo de brindis, un recuerdo alegre, como le gusta a no poca gente. "Quiero morir un domingo y que el Corinthians levante un título ese día..." respondió Sócrates cuando (ya) la muerte le había dejado su tarjeta.
Nada menos que vs Palmeiras (clásico paulista, pálido y violento 0-0), Corinthians logró su quinto Brasileirao (2011) en el mismo Pacaembú donde Sócrates brillara con su fútbol, sus pancartas y la inolvidable democracia corinthiana.

"La gente me dio el poder como un futbolista popular."
"Si la gente no tiene el poder de decir las cosas, entonces yo las digo por ellos."
"Si yo estuviera del otro lado, no del lado de la gente, no habría nadie que escuchara mis opiniones".

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.

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.

Alessandro Del Piero may have spent the night in an Italian hospital over the weekend, but that didn't stop him from being semi-consciously cute.

More weekend news after the jump!

Saturday

- Truth be told Andrei Arshavin admitted to stealing his current wife away from her then-boyfriend when the two first met.

Photo: Courtesy US Soccer

Philly Soccer Page

Today marks the return of one series and the start of another. First, fresh on the heels of our series of raves, we begin our series of season reviews of every Philadelphia Union player who saw more than ten minutes of action in 2011 (sorry Morgan!

An example of what Dr. Socrates brought to the game:
More about Socrates here, here, and here. This goal - in Brazil's bitter loss to Italy in 1982 - is one I'll never forget. Tele Santana's Brazil was the best team at the World Cup, and despite losing, they were still world favorites.

One of FIFA's 125 living legends of soccer passed away over the weekend to septic shock. He had been hospitalized three times in the past few months.At 57yo, the former World Cup star, had made 63 appearances for Brazil, notching 25 goals in that span. After his playing days finished, he went on to earn his MD, and spent time writing for the AP on social and political conditions as well as the
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1,91 m de altura, 37 cm de pie, un centrocampista "puro talento" nos ha dejado hoy 4 de diciembre de 2011. Sócrates, un jugador que jugaba con una elegancia, visión y control orientado tan sólo igualado por Zidane. Sócrates, siempre en las leyendas del fútbol.

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.

Brazilian Legend Socrates died aged 57 today. Though a Doctor of Medicine the highly intelligent midfielder was also a shock. He is survived by heavy drinker and smoker. He died after being admitted to Hospital with Gastrointestinal bleeding before dying from septic is Wife and six children.

Greek god Socrates remembered and why Wolves legend's restaurant is a load of Bull

Socrates, who has died aged 57, lived life to the full. One of his final interviewers recalls how their chat in a restaurant was continually interrupted as the great man seized upon female customers and attempted to impress them by reciting self-written but undoubtedly stylish "love poetry".

04.12.2011 - Sócrates (57) murió anoche, en el Hospital Albert Einstein de Sao Paulo, a causa de un choque séptico de origen intestinal, causado por una bacteria, entre nosotros, cirrosis hepática. Veníamos siguiendo su estado (a causa de nuestra admiración).
El Pacaembú atestado de (37.

Today the football world, still morning the untimely death of Gary Speed, is now mourning former Brazil Captain Sócrates, who passed away as a result of an intestinal infection at the age of 57. Sócrates earned 60 caps with the Brazil national team between 1979 and 1986, and captained the team in the 1982 World Cup.

Former Brazil captain and World Cup 1982 legend Socrates has died it was announced on Sunday morning after a long struggle with intestinal problems as In The Stands salutes a true genius of the game. Socrates is said to have suffered a septic shock in the early hours of Sunday morning and the 57-year-old died [.

One of the greatest midfielders of all time, Socrates, has passed away at the age of 57.In 1982, he captained the Brazilian side at the World Cup in Spain. With him as a leader, the team is surely the best side never to have won a World Cup, after they were defeated by Italy in one of the most legendary matches in World Cup history.

One of the greatest midfielders of all time, Socrates, has passed away at the age of 57.In 1982, he captained the Brazilian side at the World Cup in Spain. With him as a leader, the team is surely the best side never to have won a World Cup, after they were defeated by Italy in one of the most legendary matches in World Cup history.

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.

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.

Another sad Sunday For the second Sunday in a row, football is mourning the sad loss of one of its heroes at an age at which they should still be in the prime of their life. Legendary Brazilian midfielder Socrates has passed away after being on a life support machine due to an intestinal infection. [.

Brazilian footballing artist and legend Socrates has died it was announced on Sunday morning after a long struggle with intestinal problems as In The Stands salutes a true genius of the game. Socrates is said to have suffered a septic shock in the early hours of Sunday morning and the 57-year-old died at 04:30AM Brazilian [.

"It is impossible to watch a Brazil game right now, our soccer is hideous. The national team is patterned, stigmatized and absolutely conservative. You watch an entire match and there is not a single player dribbling. It is European soccer disguised as Brazilian."
-- Former Brazil star Socrates offers his opinion on the Brazilian national team under coach Mano Menezes

Making a reference to Greek philosophy when discussing Glasgow Rangers probably sounds far too distorted to be credible. It likely is, but it was difficult not to consider Plato's Allegory of the Cave when hearing owner Craig Whyte talk of reviving the Atlantic League idea or somehow getting Rangers accepted into the English league system.

09.09.2011 - Sócrates, menos conocido como Sócrates Brasileiro Sampaio de Souza Vieira de Oliveira, y más conocido como Doctor Sócrates (porque es doctor en medicina) salía en las conversaciones más inverosímiles: "ese que mide uno noventa y calza 39" (en realidad medía 1.