Corinthians dedicate Brasileirao triumph to Socrates as tributes pour in from the world of football

50,000 Timao fans stood in silence with their fists held high to pay their respects to the deceased star, while Paolo Rossi and Dino Zoff led the tributes from Italy

By Daniel Edwards

Zico and Socrates
New Brasileirao champions Corinthians have dedicated their triumph to former star Socrates, while tributes have poured in from team-mates, opponents and acquaintances of the iconic midfielder who became a star in the 1982 World Cup.

The 57-year-old passed away on Sunday morning due to complications arising from an intestinal infection, hours before Corinthians faced Palmeiras for the chance to win their first national championship since 2005. Tite's team drew 0-0 with their local rivals to finish in first, two points ahead of runners-up Vasco.

The former Brazilian international was given an emotional send-off in the last round of games, nowhere more so than in the Pacaembu by Corinthians fans. Every stadium in the country stood for a minute's silence, and the Timao faithful paid homage to Socrates by imitating his trademark goal celebration, a raised fist.

Figures from across Brazilian and world football also came out to pay their respects; led by former adversary Paolo Rossi, a member of the Italy team that ended the World Cup hopes of Brazil's iconic 1982 side.

"I am sorry for the loss of Socrates and it is very sad for us as well. A piece of history has just gone," the ex-striker said on Monday.

"I am sorry to hear it, he was still young as well. He was a brilliant player, despite the problems he had adapting to Italy," Dino Zoff, who captained the 1982 Italy team, explained.

Former Brazil striker Ronaldo was another to salute his compatriot, paying his respects via Twitter.

"The day has started in the saddest way. Rest in peace, Doctor Socrates," he posted on Sunday.


 
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England 1-0 Belgium, Netherlands 2-0 Northern Ireland - follow all the international action LIVE! ahead of Euro 2012
With countries across the continent gearing up for their final warm-up games ahead of Euro 2012, join us for all the action from Saturday's friendlies. Get in touch with us via Twitter with your reaction.

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19:46 BST
Joe Hart has also been giving his thoughts after the Belgium game: "It was a really tough game, a good run out. I thought we played well, [but] we were a little bit bitty at times.

"But, we came through. Obviously there were a lot of changes so it's good to get the result.

"Belgium are a very, very strong side who are going to be really good in the future. Vincent [Kompany] told me about them and said that they were coming good and I totally agree with him."
19:38 BST
Here's Roy Hodgson's reaction to the result and some injury chat: "I'm very pleased, it's been a hard week and we've used a lot of players. There was a lot of disruption in the second-half with substitutions – some forced upon us, some we wanted to do. But it's still a very good end to the week playing against a good Belgian team here. Arguably even stronger than the Norwegian team we played last week and I've got to be more than happy that we've come out with another victory."

"[Gary] Cahill I suppose is slightly more of a concern for me because it is a jaw injury. We're desperately hoping the CT scan doesn't show any fracture and it's just going to be a bruising situation, which will be bad enough, but won't stop him taking part in the tournament. As far as John's [Terry] concerned he felt his hamstring a little bit. Again it wasn't a major thing when he came off but we still need to scan it just to be 100 per cent sure."

Suffice to say, if Cahill has broken his jaw, he won't play any part in the tournament.
19:35 BST
And another point from today: Eden Hazard wasn't great. Don't think you can judge him on one performance though. What do you think? Is it just a case of too much hype around the Chelsea-bound Belgian?
19:32 BST
We're getting plenty of people saying it was boring. PLENTY. But Spain scored seven goals in eight games at the World Cup and I didn't hear too many of their fans complaining. Or as Fran Stinchcombe points out on Twitter: "If we had lost but played free flowing attacking football would these people still have moaned?"
19:24 BST
No, no, no. I'll have none of that Emile Heskey shouting anymore! Hello, it's me, it's me, it's that D-O-Y-L-E. Yes, I'm Joe Doyle, and I'll be here for all the reaction to that England game. First things first, how did everyone see that game? Good performance? A touch boring? Let me know on Twitter.
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