Sócrates

The doctor of cool: Sócrates, Brazil's midfield maestro and political icon.

Sócrates Brasileiro Sampaio de Souza Vieira de Oliveira (19 February 1954 – 4 December 2011), simply known as Sócrates, was a Brazilian footballer who played as a midfielder. His medical degree and his political awareness, combined with style and quality of his play, earned him the nickname "Doctor Socrates". Famous for his beard and the headband he wore during the 1986 World Cup, Sócrates became the "symbol of cool for a whole generation of football supporters". In 1983, he was named South American Footballer of the Year. In 2004, he was named by Pelé in the FIFA 100 list of the world's greatest living players. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest midfielders of all time.

Quick Facts

Full name: Sócrates Brasileiro Sampaio de Souza Vieira de Oliveira
Born: 19 February 1954
Birthplace: Belém, Pará, Brazil
Died: 4 December 2011
Place of death: São Paulo, Brazil
Height: 1.92 m / 6 ft 4 in
Position: Midfielder
Total caps: 465

Lore & Background

Sócrates played for Brazil for seven years, scoring 22 goals and representing the nation in two World Cups. He captained Brazil at the 1982 FIFA World Cup; playing in midfield alongside Zico, Falcão and Toninho Cerezo as part of one of the most celebrated teams in the country's history. He also appeared in the 1979 and 1983 Copa América. At club level, Sócrates played for Botafogo-SP before joining Corinthians in 1978. Representing Botafogo, Sócrates was the highest goalscorer in the 1976 Campeonato Paulista da Divisão Especial de Futebol Profissional. He moved to Italy to play for Fiorentina and participated in Serie A and European Cup, returning to Brazil in 1985 to end his career. His youngest brother Raí was also a professional footballer and part of the Brazilian team that won the World Cup in 1994.

Reader's Guide

Sócrates was born in Belém do Pará. He began playing football professionally in 1974 for Botafogo-SP in Ribeirão Preto, but spent the majority of his career (1978 to 1984) with Corinthians, scoring 41 goals in 59 Brazilian Série A games, and 172 goals in 297 matches in total. In 1984–85, aged 30, Sócrates had his first experience abroad, playing in Italian Serie A with Fiorentina. He returned to his country after that sole season, representing Flamengo, Santos and former club Botafogo-SP, and retiring in 1989.

During his period in Flamengo, he played 20 games, scoring 5 goals and won Campeonato Carioca: 1986. In 2004, more than a decade after retiring, 50-year-old Sócrates agreed to a one-month player-coaching deal with Garforth Town of the Northern Counties East Football League in England. He made his only appearance for the club on 20 November, against Tadcaster Albion, coming on as a substitute twelve minutes from time. Sócrates was capped 60 times for Brazil between May 1979 and June 1986, scoring 22 goals.

He captained the national team at the 1982 FIFA World Cup, and also appeared in the 1986 World Cup in Mexico. In the latter edition, he scored twice, starting with the game's only goal against Spain in the group stage. He added another in the round-of-16 4–0 win over Poland, shooting his penalty kick without running; in the following game, against France, he tried to convert it in the same fashion, but had his shootout attempt saved by goalkeeper Joël Bats; France ultimately progressed to the semi-finals.

Sócrates also represented his country at the 1979 and 1983 Copa América tournaments. In the latter he appeared in only one game, the second leg of the final against Uruguay (1–1 home draw, 3–1 aggregate loss).

Did You Know?

Sócrates was a qualified physician, having earned a medical degree from the Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, part of the University of São Paulo.
During his time at Corinthians, Sócrates co-founded the Corinthians Democracy movement, in opposition to the then-ruling Brazilian military government.
Sócrates married four times and had six children.
He was known for his signature 'no-look' back-heel pass.