3) Socrates
Socrates is widely regarded as one of the greatest midfielders to have ever graced football. Like Valderrama, he was also a part of Pele’s 100 greatest footballers of all time. He had a doctorate in medicine, which led to him being called Doctor Socrates.
He was the symbol of coolness for an entire generation of football fans. The midfielder appeared in two Copa Americas in his international playing career. He was considered a genius in the game due to his tactical awareness and his offensive playing style.
Although he was one of the greatest players, he never won a major trophy with any team, be it his club or nation. The Brazilians were in sublime form when they topped their group in the 1979 Copa America, but they were handed a shock loss by Paraguay in the semi-finals, who went on to win the competition.
Socrates’ Brazil started the 1983 Copa America in great form as well, as they won the group that consisted Argentina, beating them on goal difference. Brazil got their revenge on Paraguay, as they beat them in the semi-finals that year.
However, they failed to build on their momentum, as they were beaten by Uruguay in the first leg of the finals, before drawing the second leg, which meant Socrates could never get his hands on any major trophy in his entire playing career.
