Brazil legend Socrates dies aged 57

Brazil legend Socrates has passed away after suffering complications in his bid to recover from an intestinal problem.

The former Corinthians hero was rushed to hospital in Sao Paulo on Thursday night with a suspected case of food poisoning, but was immediately placed in intensive care after it was discovered that he had suffered a septic shock, in which bacteria from an infection seeps into the bloodstream and spreads throughout the body.

Despite the best efforts of medical staff, the 57-year-old lost his fight for survival and was pronounced dead at in the early hours of Sunday morning (Brazilian time).

Socrates had already been submitted to hospital with gastrointestinal haemorrhages twice previously since August and recently admitted that his problems had been related to alcohol abuse.

A classy midfielder with an eye for a goal, Socrates alsoplayed for Botafogo, Fiorentina, Flamengo and Santos during a stellar career which also saw him capped 60 times by Brazil. He was one of the most revered players in the Selecao's much-lauded 1982 World Cup squad, which he captained.