Socrates was a Brazilian footballer who played as a midfielder. He was a doctor as well as a football player, so his nickname was Doctor Socrates. He was born on 19 Feb 1954 and died on 4 Dec 2011. He was the son of an Income-tax Inspector of Brazil. He was easily recognizable because of his beard. He was a cool player. He was well known for his quality and style of playing. In 1983, he was chosen American Player of the Year. In 2004, he was named by Pele in the FIFA list of 100 best players of the world. He was one of the greatest midfielders of all time.
Socrates played for Brazil for seven years, scoring 22 goals and represented in two World Cups, 1982 and 1986. He captained Brazil in the 1982 World Cup. His teammates were Zico, Falcao, Toninho Cerezo, and Eder. It may be mentioned that the 1982 Brazil team was one of the best teams of the world but did not win the World Cup. Socrates was an elegant, talented, and technical playmaker. His through passes, long balls, link-up play, and his vision in the field are well known and outstanding. He was a two-footed player. He was a playmaker but he was a goal scorer also. He was well known and outstanding. He was well known for not taking part in celebration whenever he scored a goal. He was also an accurate penalty taker, kicking penalty without running. His height, heading ability, and elevation allowed him to excel in the air. He was a keen reader of the game. His no-look back-heel pass was well known.
Socrates was the Brain of Brazil. Socrates was a very intelligent man. He had a great class. He was respected for his correct behavior on the pitch and charismatic presence.
In the 1982 World Cup, the match against Italy was a disastrous event. Italy destroyed Brazil of Socrates. Paolo Rossi destroyed them. Socrates was unfortunate. Socrates moaned – It was the death of good football. Socrates could not get the World Cup although Brazil was the best team in that World Cup. Like Eusebio of Portugal and Johan Cruyff of Holland, Socrates was unaffordable. But Socrates was a player of the beautiful game of football. In Pele’s country of Brazil, Socrates carved out a place for himself. He was a world-class player.
It has been seen in the world of football that some outstanding players could not get the award they deserved. Some examples are – Ferenc Puskas of Hungary in the 1954 World Cup. Hungary was unbeaten for 10 years in international football. The class of Puskas was unique. But fortune was not on his side. In the 1974 World Cup, Johan Cruyff of Holland rued the glory of the World Cup. Holland did all the playing, Germans took the title. His total football mesmerized the world. The whole world knew what football was. In the 1966 World Cup, Eusebio of Portugal was the best player. But Bobby Charlton of England destroyed him. In the semifinal between Portugal and England, the commentator said – Eusebio is a better player. But today is Bobby Charlton’s day. Michael Platini of France was an elegant player but without the glory of the World Cup.
All told, Socrates was also in the same class but without the ultimate glory – the World Cup.
(The views expressed are the writer’s own.)
Radhakanta Seth is a Former Income tax officer in Sambalpur. He is a Freelance writer and his articles have been published in some Oriya dailies like Sambad, Samaj, Dharitri and English dailies like The Telegraph and in a sociological journal ‘Folklore’ published from Kolkata.
(Photo has collected from net )