Former Brazil star Socrates dies, aged 57

The world of football is again in mourning after Brazil legend Socrates died after suffering complications from an intestinal problem.

The former international 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, which is when 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 4.30am Brazilian time on Sunday.

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 played for Botafogo, Corinthians, Fiorentina, Flamengo and Santos during a stellar career which also saw him capped 60 times by Brazil.

Indeed, he was one of the most revered players in Brazil’s much-lauded 1982 World Cup squad.