Former Brazil international captain Socrates has
died in a Sao Paolo hospital at the age of 57
following an intestinal infection.
The cultured midfielder, who won 60 international
caps and scored 22 goals for his country, was
admitted to the Albert Einstein hospital on Friday
after suffering from food poisoning and died early
on Sunday morning after going into septic shock.
Socrates had already been admitted to hospital
twice in 2011, in August and September, because
of bleeding in his digestive tract.
Despite not turning professional until he was 24,
Socrates starred for Brazil between 1979 and
1986, playing in two World Cup finals
tournaments in the process.
However, he will always be associated with the
brilliant 1982 Brazilian side, who are widely
regarding as the greatest team to never win the
World Cup.
Socrates captained the 1982 side in Spain and was
widely expected to lift the World Cup trophy.
However, they were beaten 3-2 by Italy in the
second group phase in one of football's most
iconic matches.
He also played 297 matches, scoring 172 goals, in
six years with Corinthians and the Brazilian side
paid tribute to him on their official website.
"We can always be thankful for having witnessed
one of the greatest ever footballers.
"Thank you for the beautiful goals, the graceful
touches and the skilful football that only Socrates
possessed."
Another former Corinthians and Brazil star
Ronaldo also paid tribute to Socrates on his
Twitter feed, saying: "The day has begun in sad
fashion. Rest in peace Dr. Socrates."
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