He was one of those players who, like Kanu, seemed to move effortlessly across the pitch. But whereas Kanu never seemed to have the ball under control and kept it almost against all logic, Socrates was just the master. When he got the ball you knew things were going to happen.
His name definitely suited his playing style too, which made him into such an icon.
Another tortured footballing genius, lost far to early.
R I P
Good article well done.
One thing about that Brazilian team of 82 that most people don't realise is that their top two strikers actually missed the whole tournament due to injury, Careca and Reinaldo. The centre forward who played in the 82 team was seen as the weak link in the side (Serginho) and he missed an absolute sitter vs Italy,a chance that someone like Careca would have buried with his eyes shut. Would Brazil have won the 1970 tournament without Pele & Jairizinho, their top two strikers? Who knows.
Kind of makes you realise just how special that Brazil side of 82 was that they were missing their top two centre forwards and still scored 15 goals in 5 games against top opposition (New Zealand aside).
They really should have won that World Cup in 82 they were THE dominant side in world football at that time and had the best player in the world at that time in their side the wonderfully gifted Zico. Prior to the World Cup they went on a European tour and won every game they played beating France in Paris, England at Wembley & West Germany & Spain away too. But World Cups are just a cup competition at the end of the day and as well all know the best team doesn't always win the cup.
Good points Laser7 that was some European tour, and arguably highlights their talent as much as the World Cup did. Also you're correct about the young (at that time) Careca, an awesome player, missing out, but he made up for it in 86! In fact I've had to just add his name to the post, because I felt bad leaving him out anyway, and now you've got me misty eyed again
Yeah it was some European tour and showed everyone that they were without doubt THE team to beat. Reinaldo was some striker as well when he was coming through many in Brazil felt he could be one of the greatest strikers they ever produced...but his career was at times ravaged by injury he was the victim of some shocking tackles that back then rough house defenders could get away with. One of the seasons before the 82 WC he scored 28 goals in his first 15 league games for Atletico Mineiro his nickname was simply "The King"...both Careca (who was 21 at the time of the 82 WC) and Reinaldo were far far superior to Serginho...the injuries to those two really hurt them in the end because the midfield and full backs created so many chances Zico's slide rule passes were a thing of beauty.
I've watched football for 30 years and for me the one true dream team i ever saw was Brazil 82...never since (and never again) will we see a side play with such breathtaking freedom as that side...i'm so glad i watched them in real time. It says something that in Brazil they are far more revered than the sides that won the 1994 and 2002 World Cups. In fact Socrates has a brother and Zico has a cousin that both actually helped win the World Cup for Brazil in 94 (Rai & Zinho)...but ask yourself who are the true Brazilian heroes out of Zico, Socrates, Rai & Zinho? I think we all know the answer and is a reminder to us all that sometimes winning isn't always everything.
I agree, the '82 team was so much more superior than the teams of 94 and 2002. I still remember being in disbelief they went out, but the event was obviously destined to Rossi and as I said in the article the world hasn't forgotten how they played, so they made history anyway.
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Farewell to Socrates
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posted on 6/12/11
Hear, Hear
posted on 6/12/11
He was one of those players who, like Kanu, seemed to move effortlessly across the pitch. But whereas Kanu never seemed to have the ball under control and kept it almost against all logic, Socrates was just the master. When he got the ball you knew things were going to happen.
His name definitely suited his playing style too, which made him into such an icon.
posted on 6/12/11
Another tortured footballing genius, lost far to early.
R I P
posted on 6/12/11
Brilliant article.
posted on 6/12/11
Good article well done.
One thing about that Brazilian team of 82 that most people don't realise is that their top two strikers actually missed the whole tournament due to injury, Careca and Reinaldo. The centre forward who played in the 82 team was seen as the weak link in the side (Serginho) and he missed an absolute sitter vs Italy,a chance that someone like Careca would have buried with his eyes shut. Would Brazil have won the 1970 tournament without Pele & Jairizinho, their top two strikers? Who knows.
Kind of makes you realise just how special that Brazil side of 82 was that they were missing their top two centre forwards and still scored 15 goals in 5 games against top opposition (New Zealand aside).
They really should have won that World Cup in 82 they were THE dominant side in world football at that time and had the best player in the world at that time in their side the wonderfully gifted Zico. Prior to the World Cup they went on a European tour and won every game they played beating France in Paris, England at Wembley & West Germany & Spain away too. But World Cups are just a cup competition at the end of the day and as well all know the best team doesn't always win the cup.
posted on 6/12/11
Good points Laser7 that was some European tour, and arguably highlights their talent as much as the World Cup did. Also you're correct about the young (at that time) Careca, an awesome player, missing out, but he made up for it in 86! In fact I've had to just add his name to the post, because I felt bad leaving him out anyway, and now you've got me misty eyed again
posted on 6/12/11
Yeah it was some European tour and showed everyone that they were without doubt THE team to beat. Reinaldo was some striker as well when he was coming through many in Brazil felt he could be one of the greatest strikers they ever produced...but his career was at times ravaged by injury he was the victim of some shocking tackles that back then rough house defenders could get away with. One of the seasons before the 82 WC he scored 28 goals in his first 15 league games for Atletico Mineiro his nickname was simply "The King"...both Careca (who was 21 at the time of the 82 WC) and Reinaldo were far far superior to Serginho...the injuries to those two really hurt them in the end because the midfield and full backs created so many chances Zico's slide rule passes were a thing of beauty.
I've watched football for 30 years and for me the one true dream team i ever saw was Brazil 82...never since (and never again) will we see a side play with such breathtaking freedom as that side...i'm so glad i watched them in real time. It says something that in Brazil they are far more revered than the sides that won the 1994 and 2002 World Cups. In fact Socrates has a brother and Zico has a cousin that both actually helped win the World Cup for Brazil in 94 (Rai & Zinho)...but ask yourself who are the true Brazilian heroes out of Zico, Socrates, Rai & Zinho? I think we all know the answer and is a reminder to us all that sometimes winning isn't always everything.
posted on 6/12/11
I agree, the '82 team was so much more superior than the teams of 94 and 2002. I still remember being in disbelief they went out, but the event was obviously destined to Rossi and as I said in the article the world hasn't forgotten how they played, so they made history anyway.
posted on 6/12/11
R.I.P Legend
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