SOCRATES DIES AT 57
SOCCER GREAT Socrates, the clever playmaker who captained Brazil at the 1982 World Cup, died yesterday. He was 57. Known for his elegant style on the field and his deep involvement with Brazilian politics, Socrates died of septic shock resulting from an intestinal infection, according to a statement by the Albert Einstein hospital.
SOCCER GREAT Socrates, the clever playmaker who captained Brazil at the 1982 World Cup, died yesterday. He was 57.
Known for his elegant style on the field and his deep involvement with Brazilian politics, Socrates died of septic shock resulting from an intestinal infection, according to a statement by the Albert Einstein hospital.
He had been rushed to the hospital on Saturday and had been in critical condition in an intensive-care unit, breathing with the help of a ventilator.
Socrates was twice hospitalized and placed in intensive care in the last few months, most recently in September. Both times he was admitted for a hemorrhage caused by high pressure in the vein that carries blood from the digestive system to the liver.
Socrates has acknowledged being a heavy drinker, even when he starred as a player.
Socrates was above average both on and off the field. He became a doctor after retiring from soccer and later became a popular TV commentator and columnist, always with unique and controversial opinions. He never denied his fondness for drinking, from the time he was a player until his final days.
Socrates wrote a series of columns for the Associated Press during the 2011 Copa America in Argentina, expressing his views on all aspects of the tournament, including economic and political issues in Latin America.
"It's not just about the game itself," Socrates said before the competition began. "Before anything, [soccer] is a psychological battle, the human aspect plays a significant role."
Socrates was included in FIFA's list of the best 125 living soccer players in the world, a list compiled by countryman Pele. Socrates played 63 matches with the national team, scoring 25 goals.
In other soccer news:
* Teresa Noyola scored from point-blank range to help top-ranked Stanford (25-0-1) beat No. 3 Duke, 1-0, in Kennesaw, Ga., for its first NCAA women's soccer title. Stanford seniors Noyola, Camille Levin, Kristy Zuhmehlen and Lindsay Taylor finished their college careers with a record of 95-4-4. Their last three losses came in a 2008 national semifinal to Notre Dame, to North Carolina in the '09 championship match and to Notre Dame in last year's final.
Sport Stops *
Lindsey Vonn won a super-G for her third victory in 3 days at the Lake Louise (Alberta) Winterstart World Cup. Vonn finished in 1 minute, 20.21 seconds to beat Anna Fenninger, of Austria, and fellow American Julia Mancuso. * Rafael Nadal helped Spain win its fifth Davis Cup with a 1-6, 6-4, 6-1, 7-6 victory over Argentina's Juan Martin del Potro, then said he will skip the event next year and focus on defending his gold medal at the London Olympics.