Brazil Football Legend Socrates Dies at 57

He played in two World Cups, won 60 caps for his country between 1979 and 1986 and scored 22 goals. Photo by Getty Images

Former Brazil captain Socrates, one of the greatest midfielders of all-time, has died at the age of 57.

He had been in a critical condition with an intestinal infection since being admitted to intensive care on Friday at a hospital in Sao Paulo.

Socrates, whose full name was Socrates Brasileiro Sampaio de Sousa Vieira de Oliveira, was moved onto a life support machine on Saturday.

A statement by the Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo said on Saturday that the former footballer was "in a critical condition due to a septic shock of intestinal origin".

Even though his wife claimed he suffered from food poisoning, Socrates himself admitted earlier this year - after being rushed to the hospital twice - that he had problems with alcohol and smoking, even while he was still active on the field.

He spent 17 days in hospital in September and had been hoping his health would stabilize ahead of a liver transplant.

In a recent television interview, Socrates said he had considered alcohol his "companion" but believed its regular use did not affect his performance on the field.

"Alcohol did not affect my career, in part because I never had the physical build to play this game," he said.

"Soccer became my profession only when I was already 24. I was too thin and when I was young I did not have the opportunity to prepare myself physically for the sport."

He played in two World Cups, won 60 caps for his country between 1979 and 1986 and scored 22 goals.

We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!