Thirty years ago, Socrates said that he would like to die on Sunday when Corinthians won the title. 4th December last year, his wish was realized, but probably not the way he hoped.

First of all, because his departure at the age of 57 was premature, and secondly because he probably was not satisfied with the way the Corinthians provided the title, with the score of 0-0 against Palmeiras, where there were more red cards than chances for goals. Socrates has always promoted the idea that the way in which you will reach success is at least as important as your own success.

It was a message that he sent as a player. The huge man clearly enjoyed the game. His reading of the game allowed him to have control of the event, and trought the unbeatable fifth game he knew how  intelligently open the space and create an advantage over his adversary, even the fact he was physically stronger.

Socrates was never an athlete in the fullness of the word, whether we are talking about the physiognomy or life style. There was a gentlemen’s line in the manner of a man who isn’t devoted entirely to football until he graduated in medicine. But depite smoking and excessive alcohol consummation, he was a gentleman with style.

He grew up with parents’ love who were rebels from the sixties, and football intensified his social consciousness, since it is through football he came into contact with teammates and opponents who came from backgrounds that were less privileged than his. Football and politics became one at the early eighties in Corinthians.

At a time when Brazil was still under military dictatorship, Socrates was the main leader of the movement that became known as the “Corinthians Democracy ‘. Players, coaches and club staff would sit and vote on all matters of common interest: which players to bring, should the team spend the night in a hotel before the game and even should the club’s bus stop and take a break to help players “take breath”. All that has brought success in the field – Corinthians were champions of Sao Paulo in 1982 and 1983, when the title was much more important than today, and he also brought success out of the field, because it has helped to educate millions of Brazilians about the value of democracy.

The tragedy of the death of Socrates is that he still had a lot of lessons and advice to share. The truth is that after the playing career he never really found a role that suits his talents. It also seems that the consummation of alcohol significantly affected his mental health, but his voice was always pleasant to hear. At the time when Brazil is at a turning point, they will miss his opinion about which way to go.

Many people in Brazil were shocked when they realized what was the affect of his death all over the world. “Corinthians Democracy ‘, a great chapter in his life, was the story for home use. In other countries, of course, he is known as a part of the famous Brazilian team that in 1982. impressed the world with her game at the World Championship, but failed to win the trophy of champions of the world, not even reach the semifinals. That day everyone in the country remembers and it is still not forgiven, although they still like them for their style of the game.

Socrates used to recall the scene in the locker room after losing against Italy which was led by Paolo Rossio. He remembered Tele Santana with tears and chaos, who was like an island of calm. “We gave our best.” repeated Santana, proud of his players and the way they played. They could go further, but Santana was wise enough to immediately recognize that they left behind them some wonderful memories. Early fallout doesn’t necessarily means a shortfall.

The same sentence can be applied to life and death of Socrates.