Brazil football legend Socrates dies at 57

[Bosonic]

Source: BBC

Former Brazil captain Socrates has died at the age of 57.

He had been in a critical condition with an intestinal infection since being admitted to intensive care on Friday at a hospital in Sao Paulo.

Socrates, who was widely regarded as one of the greatest ever midfielders, was moved onto a life support machine on Saturday.

He played in two World Cups, won 60 caps for his country between 1979 and 1986 and scored 22 goals.

Read more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/16017071.stm

[SpiralHawk]

1. R.I.P. Socrates

[rpannier]

2. R.I.P.

Great player

[Irritable Liberal]

3. RIP

He was a medical doctor and smoked 2 packs of cigarettes a day during his playing career. Brazil played at a slow, deliverate pace until they struck so it onbiously didn't affect him that much. The Brazil 192 team was one of the best ever but lost the semi final to Italy in one of the World Cup's greatest games ever.

In today's much faster paced game he would never have survived with his smoking habit but his genius would have been no less.

For an absolute treat go to Youtube and search for Brazil 1982 goals. One can never tire of watching the highlights.

[BeyondGeography]

4. The guy never took care of himself

Which, of course, made him only cooler if you were a kid 30 years ago. He was a commanding player, with great vision and presence. A player who helped you umderstand why the rest of the world was so football-crazy. The 80s Cups were under the radar here in the U.S., but they were unforgettable (cue up France/Brazil 1986) and so was Socrates. Sorry to see him go so soon.

[mazzarro]

5. Oh jeeze!

He was my favorite midfielder. I loved his free-kicks as they seemed to have life pf their own on their trips to the goal-nets. Goodbye Dr.Socrates and godspeed as you journey beyond. Thanks for the many years of wonderful memories - Dr. Socrates.

[VWolf]

6. That 1982 would cup side

was supposed to be coronated as the greatest ever, until Paolo Rossi decided to take matters into his own hands, er feet.

RIP Socrates.

[AngryAmish]

7. Therefore Socrates is mortal.

[truebrit71]

8. Yeah, but he wasn't as good in the mid-field as Aristotle though...

...boy did he know how to dribble...