http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/16017071.stm This guy was part of an unbelievable football team of its day who seem to breeze through matches with incredible ease. Along with the likes of Zico, Falcoa, he epitomised the effortless ease in which Brazilian footballers memorise the world. There attacking flair was awesome, their defending, abysmal, it seems that no one wanted to be a defender or goalkeeper, every Brazilian wanted to be another Pele or Garrincha. Palo Rossi put paid to Brazil's invincibility in an incredible World Cup final of which Socrates was a member, but their memories will live for a long time yet. After football he carried on in much the same way as which he always had, smoking, drinking, not wise for an athlete. It was once said that that was his training regime, but at 57 he had paid the price if this is so. RIP Socrates thanks for the memory, and 2 great footballers in 2 consecutive weeks is a sad time for football.
I think the World Cup of 1982 was the first one I really watched, cant remember much of it but the names Socrates and Junior stuck in my head and I remember thinking Brazil were awesome, I said it on another thread but R.I.P Socrates in any case
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/dec/04/socrates Quite a character too, this is well worth a read
Italy and Paulo Rossi didn't play Brazil in the 82 final. They beat West Germany with Marco Tardelli's best celebration ever. But yes, RIP Socrates.
I only really saw him in the '82 world cup and he was some player. He was a bit like Gullit or Viera for the younger ones who never saw him play, majestic and almost effortless. That has to be the best team not to win the world cup IMO. Those tight fitting cotton yellow shirts with great big sweat patches are, for some reason, one of the main memories I have of that team. Eder was my favourite from that squad, pure brilliance. I posted this on another thread about Socrates. The man was one cool mo fo. Don't leave me stranded here, I can't get used to this lifestyle .
Played the game before my time but having watched YouTube clips of him today he was certainly a classy player. RIP.
R.I.P. SOCRATES one of the classiest players Brazil have ever produced. A week after Speedo, who is it next sunday then ?
He was a bit good... [video=youtube;4vk2OkagTuY]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vk2OkagTuY[/video] RIP
I think it was that Brazil team of Socrates, Zico etc that really got me interested in football. As someone said above, the best team to not win the World Cup. RIP Socrates