In a statement, Corinthians mourns the death of Socrates

Sao Paulo club's Board praised the talent and career of former player on the team in the title race in the Brazilian Championship.

In the 1970s, Socrates trains with Corinthians shirt

In a statement released Sunday, the board of Corinthians mourned the death of Socrates. In the fight for the title of the Brasileirão, the club said the passing of former player for the team that established itself, and in a tone of appreciation, praised the unquestionable talent and career of former athlete.

"The Sport Club Corinthians Paulista and all his loyal Fans parted with sorrow of Magrão, but also thankful for the honor of seeing one of the greatest players in soccer history wearing the mantle alvinegro so many games," says the note, if referring to a nickname of Socrates.

"Thank you for the beautiful goals, the touches of genius, for football only master Socrates had," added the statement. Late idol of Corinthians, Ronaldo Nazario also lamented the death of his predecessor. "The sad day has begun. Rest in peace Dr Socrates ...", posted on his Twitter page.

The club mourned the death of the crack on the day that the Corinthians could devote himself champion during the decisive round of the Championship. In contention for the title, the team plays for Sao Paulo in a classic tie against Palmeiras. "Today, it would be only one day of joy by the decision of the Brasileirão, got sad for Brazilian football, especially to the Corinthians," the statement said.

Socrates made history in Brazilian football club to stand out in São Paulo, which hired him in 1978. The following year, the player won his first title, the Paulista Championship in 1979. And come back to win the same competition in 1982 and 1983, scoring his name definitely among the idols Australians. He scored 175 goals in 297 matches with the shirt corintiana, between the years 1978 and 1984.

At the same time, Socrates stood out even in the club off the field. Along with players like winger and striker Casagrande Wladimir, he helped create the Corinthian Democracy, a movement in which players the team had the right to vote on issues ranging from the payment of "bugs" to hire reinforcements.

The loss of the idol of the 80s was also deplored by the Botafogo of Ribeirão Preto, where Socrates began his career. "Botafogo FC declares official mourning for the death of former player and idol Botafogo Socrates Brasileiro Sampaio de Souza Vieira. All directors, officers, employees, players, officials and fans deeply regret the death of Dr. Socrates, who had marked the passage Botafogo, becoming one of the biggest idols of all players and the club's history, "reported the club, also in a statement.

At 57 years, Socrates died on Sunday morning due to a generalized infection. He was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of the Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo since the night of Thursday. It was his third hospitalization in less than four months.

Source: Veja