( CNN ) -- Brazilians are mourning the death of legendary soccer player and political activist Socrates , who died Sunday of septic shock due to an intestinal infection . Socrates Brasileiro Sampaio de Souza Vieira de Oliveira , 57 , was buried in his hometown of Ribeirao Preto , Sao Paulo , according to Brazil 's official Agencia Brasil . Socrates had suffered bouts of gastrointestinal bleeding caused by cirrhosis of the liver . He had admitted to addictions to alcohol and cigarettes , Agencia Brasil said . `` It was during his third hospitalization that he confronted his addiction to alcohol and cigarettes , adding that he had 'won ' another chance to recover from his complications , '' the agency reported . A qualified doctor , renowned intellectual and an outspoken , pro-democracy fighter during Brazil 's brutal military dictatorship , Socrates had defied many stereotypes . The man known as `` Doctor Socrates , '' `` Golden Feet '' and `` Big Skinny '' is considered by the international football organization FIFA as one of the 100 greatest players of all time . News of his death was broadcast worldwide , an indication of his fame as one of the world 's greatest players . Despite not turning professional until he was 24 , the soccer legend starred for Brazil between 1979 and 1986 , playing in two World Cup finals tournaments in the process . Brazilian legend Socrates dies aged 57 . However , Socrates will always be associated with the 1982 Brazilian side , which is widely regarding as the greatest team to never win the World Cup . Socrates captained the 1982 side in Spain and was widely expected to lift the World Cup trophy . But his team lost 3-2 to Italy in the second phase in one of football 's most iconic matches . The Sao Paulo-based Corinthians football club , one of Brazil 's heavyweight teams , was a launching pad where Socrates made his name . He became an international legend , scoring more than 300 goals . During the last game of the `` Brasileirao , '' Brazil 's national soccer tournament , the Corinthians beat rival Palmeiras on Sunday . Fans held a minute of silence , holding up their left fists up high -- one of Socrates ' most emblematic gestures after a triumphal match . Juca Kfouri , one of Brazil 's most popular soccer columnists who knew Socrates well , said in his blog for Folha de Sao Paulo newspaper that Socrates had genius in his heels . In a hospital interview earlier this year , Socrates told Kfouri of his love for Cuba 's Fidel Castro and , tragically , his love for alcohol , which became his Achilles heel . `` I am not going to change , '' Socrates told Kfouri . `` I am just going to get rid of alcohol . I 've already done that . '' `` He always had an absurd ability to consume alcohol , to drink and drink and not get drunk , '' Kfouri said after speaking with Socrates , who at the time had a catheter in his liver . In an official statement , President Dilma Rousseff lamented the loss of one of Brazil 's `` most beloved sons '' and a `` football genius . '' Rousseff and former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva recalled the athlete 's unusual role as a political activist . During the military dictatorship , Socrates infuriated authorities by wearing an `` I want to vote '' banner . `` Lula , '' as the former president is known , and Socrates were friends and collaborators in the 1980s pro-democracy movement known a `` Diretas Ja . '' Socrates , a rare picture of a politicized athlete , marched with trade unionists , artists and athletes to defy the military junta ruling Brazil with an iron fist , persecuting , jailing and often torturing many political dissidents . Socrates , unlike some of the more apolitical legends of the time , used his status to send a message to the world about what was happening back home . `` Dr. Socrates was a 'crack ' in the football field and a great friend , '' Lula said . `` He was an example of citizenship , intelligence and political consciousness , in addition to his immense talent as a football professional . '' Most recently , Socrates became a columnist for CartaCapital , a left-leaning news magazine where he wrote eloquently against racism in football , politics and his new passion , the environment . He dissected the issues with the precision of a doctor and the determination of a pro . Socrates understood that soccer was a way to communicate to Brazilians on important issues . In one of his final columns , titled `` Some Dream Others Do n't , '' Socrates took on Pele for not speaking out against racism in world football . `` Nothing is more endemic ( in addition to corruption ) than ( racism ) among those in football management , '' he wrote amid recent controversy involving FIFA President Sepp Blatter and racist comments in soccer . `` Certainly all negroes in the planet felt attacked except for one : Pele , '' Socrates wrote . `` One thing we know for sure : Pele has never had a dream . '' In soccer-crazed Brazil , adoring fans crowded the cemetery where Socrates was buried . Mourners sang the anthem of the Corinthians team in his memory .
The football great died Sunday at the age of 57 . He captained the 1982 Brazilian side , regarded as the best team to never win the World Cup . Socrates fought for democracy during Brazil 's military dictatorship . TL;DR Former soccer star and FIFA president Sepp Blatter has been elected honorary chairman of the International Olympic Committee.