Socrates Dies Aged 57

Former Brazilian captain Socrates had died in hospital when being admitted for food poisoning after eating a meal at a hotel. The hospital then placed the midfielder in intensive care after it was discovered he had suffered septic shock resulting from an intestinal infection in which bacteria from an infection seeps into the bloodstream and spreads throughout the body.

The idol of the 1982 World Cup had been rushed to hospital on Thursday, it was the third time Socrates has been taken to hospital since August when he spent nine days there due to a digestive haemorrhage caused by excessive drinking.

Socrates who racked up 60 caps for his country scoring 22 goals, played for Brazil at the 1982 and 1986 World Cups.

The bearded, lanky Socrates, a leading player of his era played alongside fellow midfielder Zico.

Socrates spent most of career at Brazilian side Corinthians, with spells with Botafogo, Fiorentina, Flamengo and Santos, while in 2004 he famously came out of retirement at the age of 50 to make a one-off substitute appearance for English lower-league side Garforth Town.

Several Clubs Chasing Neymar

Brazilian club Santos have revealed that there are several club chasing Neymar, it was thought that Chelsea tabled an offer for Brazilian starlet. But it was thought that Real Madrid had edged in front for the striker’s services.

Santos club president Ribeiro also suggested that other clubs are interested in him and Neymar has been attracting interest for some time and it is expected to be only a matter of time before he secures a big-money move,

They are not the only Real Madrid and Chelsea in the picture as Ribeiro claims a number of teams have joined the race.

"It is not just Madrid, a lot of other clubs in Europe have been calling us," he said.

"It is no surprise; it would be strange if they didn't want him.

"If they pay the buy-put clause of €45million (£39.8m) and the player wants to go, there is nothing we could do."

Santos are bracing themselves for a sizeable amount for Neymar, but Ribeiro insists nothing will happen until after the club has played the second leg of the club's Copa Libertadores final clash with Penarol on Wednesday.

He added: "The clubs can talk to Neymar after the Libertadores, but I am sure that, if we win the title, the reasons for Neymar to stay will be even stronger.

"I know the dizzying offers will arrive, but the player will earn more if he keeps developing here."
Santos hope Neymar will form part of an ambitious future at Santos, with Ribeiro revealing that plans are in place to bring a number of former players back to the club.

He said: "Next year we celebrate our centenary, we are hopeful of bringing Robinho and Diego back to the club, and of keeping Elano and Ganso, and Neymar could be the biggest star of that movie."

Real Madrid Keen On Brazil's Neymar

The agent of Brazilian Neymar has hinted that the striker could join Real Madrid this summer, Chelsea saw a £32m bid for the hitman rejected this season and the players club Santos has said that Neymar wouldn’t be sold for less than £41m.

The 19-year-old is widely regarded as the best young player in the world, The teenager's agent, Wagner Ribeiro has revealed a move to the Bernabeu is not out of the question.

He told Spanish newspaper MARCA: "What if it means going to sign for Madrid? In football anything is possible."

He said in The Sun newspaper: "Last year Santos received an offer of £32m from Chelsea and it was rejected. Now he would not leave for less than £41m.

"Neymar is like Messi. Soon he will be the best in the world because he is a player unlike any other. He is just 19 but all the big clubs are following him."

Hiddink & Neymar on Chelsea’s Radar

Chelsea are closing on a Brazilian striker Neymar. Last season the Blues had a £19 million pound offer rejected by Neymar’s club Santos.

Chelsea have renewed their interest with a £23 million offer.

Owner Roman Abramovich has made it his top priority to secure Neymar's services and will speak with the player directly in an attempt to convince the 19-year-old to come to London this summer.

A source close to Chelsea said, “Roman is ready to get personally involved to clinch the signing of Neymar.

“He’s aiming to talk with him next month to prove how much he is wanted.”

The signing of Neymar could spell the end of Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka’s Chelsea career, with Chelsea splashing out £50 million in January to land Torres it is thought that either Drogba or Anelka will leave Stamford Bridge.

Also last night former manager Guus Hiddink insisted that he will listen to any serious offer from Chelsea, the Dutchman has confirmed that he remained in contact with Abramovich since his spell in 2009.

Hiddink said, "there is a lot of speculation about Chelsea. But if there was a concrete offer, I would think about it".

The Dutchman is currently manager of Turkey’s national side and insists he is committed to his job there, but admits if his side fails to beat Belgium in the Euro 2012 qualifier next week it could be the end.

He added; "if we lose I can imagine they’d say it would be better for me to quit”.