Sócrates

Sócrates Brasileiro Sampaio de Souza Vieira de Oliveira, better known as "Sócrates" and nicknamed "The Doctor," was born on February 19, 1954, in Belém, Brazil, and died on December 4, 2011, in São Paulo. An elegant, tall, and highly technical midfielder, he left his mark on Brazilian football history as much for his skill as for his intelligence and charisma.

In his childhood, he grew up in a family that provided him with a good education, which also explains his atypical path from footballer to doctor. In addition to his footballing prowess, the towering Sócrates (1.93m) successfully pursued his medical studies in São Paulo, later practicing as a sports medicine specialist.

Despite his reputation for laziness, his talent was undeniable, and he began his career at Botafogo, where he became the league's top scorer. He was then ready to join a major club in São Paulo, before establishing himself primarily at Corinthians between 1978 and 1984, where he became an idol. He also played in Italy for Fiorentina, then in Brazil with Flamengo, Santos, and again Botafogo-SP, before a more symbolic end to his career in England with Garforth Town. With Brazil, he earned 60 caps and scored 22 goals, and participated in the 1982 and 1986 World Cups. His achievements include three São Paulo state championships with Corinthians in 1979, 1982, and 1983, as well as reaching the Copa América final in 1983 with the Seleção. His image remains linked to the "Corinthian Democracy," an internal mo…