4 December 2011 - Socrates Passes Away

On 4 December 2011, former Brazil captain Socrates passed away from complications related to food poisoning. He was 57.

One of the most inventive and dynamic players of his generation, the towering midfielder started his career with Botafogo in 1974. But spent the majority of it with Corinthians, for whom he made 297 league appearances and scored 172 goals between 1978 and 1984 and won three league titles (1979, 1982, 1984).

He earned his first cap from Brazil in 1979 and went on to make a total of 60 appearances, including a spell as captain for the 1982 World Cup. Unfortunately for him, Brazil were eliminated in the second group stage of that tournament and never won a major title during Socrates' tenure, with their best finish being runners-up in the 1982 Copa America.

Socrates won individual awards, though, and was named the 1983 South American Footballer of the Year over Argentina's Ubaldo Fillol and Brazil's Éder.

After leaving Corinthians in 1984, he spent a season in Italy with Fiorentina, then returned to Brazil to play for Flamengo, Santos, and Botafogo before retiring in 1989. Having earned a medical degree during his playing days, he became a practicing physician upon retiring from football and also wrote prolific columns on sports and politics.

At the beginning of December 2011, he went into the hospital for food poisoning and died from related complications.

20 November 2004 - The Return Of Socrates (Or A Reasonable Facsimile Thereof)

On 20 November 2004, legendary midfielder and former Brazil captain Socrates returned to the pitch for the first time in 15 years, making a solitary appearance for amateur English side Garforth Town.

Embodying a combination of strength and flair, Socrates began his professional career in 1974 with Botafogo, but spent the majority of it with Corinthians, scoring 172 goals in 297 appearances between 1978 and 1984. He also played for Fiorentina, Flamengo, and Santos before returning to Botafogo for his ostensible final season in 1989. Along the way, he earned 60 caps for Brazil and captained them in the 1982 World Cup.

After his initial retirement from football, Socrates--who obtained a medical degree during his playing days--became a print and television commentator on sports and politics. His unusual appearance for the Northern Counties East League First Division side Garforth Town was orchestrated by Town owner Simon Clifford, who used the publicity to promote his stable of Brazilian-style soccer academies.

In the 78th minute, with Garforth and visitors Tadcaster Albion level at 2-2, Socrates--then 50 years old--stripped off his layers of protective clothing and entered the match. With his first touch, he took a powerful dipping shot from 25 yards forcing a save from the Tadcaster keeper. But that was his only real contribution to the match, which ended at 2-2. Afterward, he said "It was much faster than the type of football I'm used to. It was a lot more competitive and keenly fought but I really enjoyed it and it was an interesting experience."

4 December 2011 - Socrates Passes Away

On 4 December 2011, former Brazil captain Socrates passed away from complications related to food poisoning. He was 57.

One of the most inventive and dynamic players of his generation, the towering midfielder started his career with Botafogo in 1974. But spent the majority of it with Corinthians, for whom he made 297 league appearances and scored 172 goals between 1978 and 1984 and won three league titles (1979, 1982, 1984).

He earned his first cap from Brazil in 1979 and went on to make a total of 60 appearances, including a spell as captain for the 1982 World Cup. Unfortunately for him, Brazil were eliminated in the second group stage of that tournament and never won a major title during Socrates' tenure, with their best finish being runners-up in the 1982 Copa America.

Socrates won individual awards, though, and was named the 1983 South American Footballer of the Year over Argentina's Ubaldo Fillol and Brazil's Éder.

After leaving Corinthians in 1984, he spent a season in Italy with Fiorentina, then returned to Brazil to play for Flamengo, Santos, and Botafogo before retiring in 1989. Having earned a medical degree during his playing days, he became a practicing physician upon retiring from football and also wrote prolific columns on sports and politics.

At the beginning of December 2011, he went into the hospital for food poisoning and died from related complications.

20 November 2004 - The Return Of Socrates (Or A Reasonable Facsimile Thereof)

On 20 November 2004, legendary midfielder and former Brazil captain Socrates returned to the pitch for the first time in 15 years, making a solitary appearance for amateur English side Garforth Town.

Embodying a combination of strength and flair, Socrates began his professional career in 1974 with Botafogo, but spent the majority of it with Corinthians, scoring 172 goals in 297 appearances between 1978 and 1984. He also played for Fiorentina, Flamengo, and Santos before returning to Botafogo for his ostensible final season in 1989. Along the way, he earned 60 caps for Brazil and captained them in the 1982 World Cup.

After his initial retirement from football, Socrates--who obtained a medical degree during his playing days--became a print and television commentator on sports and politics. His unusual appearance for the Northern Counties East League First Division side Garforth Town was orchestrated by Town owner Simon Clifford, who used the publicity to promote his stable of Brazilian-style soccer academies.

In the 78th minute, with Garforth and visitors Tadcaster Albion level at 2-2, Socrates--then 50 years old--stripped off his layers of protective clothing and entered the match. With his first touch, he took a powerful dipping shot from 25 yards forcing a save from the Tadcaster keeper. But that was his only real contribution to the match, which ended at 2-2. Afterward, he said "It was much faster than the type of football I'm used to. It was a lot more competitive and keenly fought but I really enjoyed it and it was an interesting experience."