Brazil legend Socrates has passed away after suffering complications in his bid to recover from an intestinal problem.

The former Corinthians hero was rushed to hospital in Sao Paulo on Thursday night with a suspected case of food poisoning, but was immediately placed in intensive care after it was discovered that he had suffered a septic shock, in which bacteria from an infection seeps into the bloodstream and spreads throughout the body.

Despite the best efforts of medical staff, the 57-year-old lost his fight for survival and was pronounced dead at in the early hours of Sunday morning (Brazilian time).

Socrates had already been submitted to hospital with gastrointestinal haemorrhages twice previously since August and recently admitted that his problems had been related to alcohol abuse.

A classy midfielder with an eye for a goal, Socrates alsoplayed for Botafogo, Fiorentina, Flamengo and Santos during a stellar career which also saw him capped 60 times by Brazil. He was one of the most revered players in the Selecao's much-lauded 1982 World Cup squad, which he captained.

rsinatra wrote:Here is a video of the most beautiful goals scored by that 1982 Seleção Brasileira, which had Sócrates as captain.

Ganso wrote:

rsinatra wrote:Here is a video of the most beautiful goals scored by that 1982 Seleção Brasileira, which had Sócrates as captain.

zico+socrates>xavi+iniesta

Ganso wrote:

The worst thing is that he passed away on the day corinthians will lift the trophy.so sad

rsinatra wrote:

Ganso wrote:

rsinatra wrote:Here is a video of the most beautiful goals scored by that 1982 Seleção Brasileira, which had Sócrates as captain.

zico+socrates>xavi+iniesta

It's incomparable. The problem with Socrates was that he wasn't an athlete. He was smoking and drinking during his playing days, except for the 1982 WC, when he stopped so he could be fully fit. If he had been a real athlete, he wouldve been ever better.

Juca Kfouri , my favorite journalist, says that Ganso reminds me of Socrates, but has the advantage of being an athlete.

ragbirjosh wrote:What are you on about @rsintra

Many athletes smoke and drink and while I agree that he could've perhaps been even better......from 78-84 there was no better player in the World other than maybe Maradona.

I think the comparsion to Ganso hilarious since Ganso is at the disadvantage of being <1/4 the player Socrates was.

@Ganso Zico + Socrates > Xavi + Iniesta for sure. What a farce that match against Italy was...........Gentile got away with absolute murder on Zico

Socrates

ragbirjosh wrote:What are you on about @rsintra

Many athletes smoke and drink and while I agree that he could've perhaps been even better......from 78-84 there was no better player in the World other than maybe Maradona.

I think the comparsion to Ganso hilarious since Ganso is at the disadvantage of being <1/4 the player Socrates was.

@Ganso Zico + Socrates > Xavi + Iniesta for sure. What a farce that match against Italy was...........Gentile got away with absolute murder on Zico

Socrates

ragbirjosh wrote:^ I know.

I've only watched Ganso in a couple of matches and in those he's been pretty poor so I don't see the comparison.But whatever apparently Socrates himself think's Ganso is grea so.........

Back in the day i think most footballers in South America smoked and drank alot , although Socrates was probably the most over the top of the lot.

I think that Xavi should go back and watch that match so he can know what it really it should really mean to say "football lost today" , not just make it as a random comment after every game you lose or draw.