A Family Affair – Socrates and Rai

By David Tickle

Socrates began his career at Botafogo SP in 1973 but didn’t break into the first team until 1976 at the age of 22. In 1978, Socrates moved to Sao Paulo based Corinthians, where he stayed until 1984. He scored 41 goals in 59 Brazilian Serie A games during this period, and 172 goals in 297 games in total, winning the Campeonato Paulista in 1979, 1982 and 1983.

He made a bigger impact for the Brazil team though, finishing 3rd in the 1979 Copa America and 2nd in the 1983 Copa America. On the World stage Socrates sat in the midfield alongside Flamengo playmaker Zico, and would often provide the space so Zico could move into a forward position. The Doctor (Socrates earned a bachelors degree in medicine alongside his footballing career) captained the national team in the 1982 World Cup in Spain, where his team were drawn in the group of death in the second group phase. The Brazilians had topped their group of Soviet Union, Scotland and New Zealand without losing a game but came up against Argentina and Italy in the second group phase. Despite a 3-1 win against Argentina (with Diego Maradona getting a red card), Brazil failed to qualify after a game that is often described as one of the greatest matches of all time. Paolo Rossi scored a hattrick as the Azzuri beat Brazil 3-2. Italy went on to win the World Cup after beating West Germany in the final.

In 1984 Socrates moved to Italy and Fiorentina. At the age of 30, Socrates only managed 25 games in Serie A due to a reoccurring injury.

By 1986, he had moved back to Brazil and Flamingo but managed just 11 games. Short spells at Santos and Botafogo in 1988 and 1989 then saw him retire from football. However in 2004, more than a decade after retiring, and at 50 years old he agreed to a one month player manager role at Northern Counties East Football League club Garforth Town. He made his only appearance for the club against Tadcaster Albion coming on as a sub with 12 mins remaining.

Rai, the younger brother of Socrates, earned a move from his boyhood club Boafogo SP in 1987. He managed just on game for Sao Paulo in his first season due to injury however the arrival of Tele Santana as manager (who also managed his brother during the 1982 World Cup campaign) saw Rai back to his best. 28 goals in the 1991 campaign saw Sao Paulo win both the Campeonato Paulista and the National Championship. More success came a year later in the form of the Copa Liberatores. Rai scored the Brazilian clubs only goal in the final against Marcelo Biesla’s Newells Old Boys that took the game to penalties. Rai also scored his penalty and Sao Paulo won the cup after Fernando Gamboa, Alfedo Mendoza and Eduardo Berizzo missed their penalties.

In 1992 Sao Paulo face a star studded Barcelona in the Intercontinental Cup final. Managed by Johan Cruyff, the side contained Ronald Koeman, Michael Laundrup, Hristo Stoickkov and Pep Guardiola. All were outsmarted by the Brazilian in Tokyo as Sao Paulo won the match 2-1, both goals being scored by Rai.

1993 saw the defence of the Copa Libertadores as Rai, who now captained Sao Paulo scored in the final of the 5-3 win. However Ria had already been sold by the time Sao Paulo beat AC Milan for their second Intercontinental Cup win. In June 1993 Rai moved to Ligue 1 an PSG for £5m. He helped PSG win Ligue 1 in his first season with club. He continued to perform well in France alongside George Weah and David Ginola. PSG won the 1994/95 Coupe de France and Rai scored in the League Cup final against SC Bastia as PSG won 2-0.

At the 1994 World Cup, Rai was involved in the squad early on and scored in the group stages against Russia however the partnership of Romario and Bebeto saw him lose his place and captaincy with Dunga being chosen as Brazils new leader. Rai came off the bench against Holland in the QFs and came on at half time during the SF against Sweden. He was an unused substitute in the final as Brazil beat Italy on penalties.

Rai scored 2 goals in the 3-1 Quarter Final win over Parma in the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup in 1996. PSG beat Rapid Wien in the final 1-0 however Rai was substituted in the 12th minute after an injury. In 1997/98 he scored in both the Coupe de la Ligue final against Bordeaux and the Coupe de France final against Lens as PSG continued their winning streak.

At the age of 33, Rai returned to Sao Paulo and retired in 1999 after 15 games.

So out of the two brothers – Socrates is much more well known and is often seen as the better player, however Rai’s honours speak for themselves.

Socrates won the Campeonato Paulista with Corinthians in 1979, 1982 and 1983, the Campeonato Carioca in 1986 and was runner up in the Copa America in 1983. He scored 76 goals in 158 games in total.

Rai won the Copa Libertadores in 1992 and 1993, the Intercontinental Cup in 1992, the Campeonato Paulista 5 times in 1987, 1989, 1991, 1992 and 1998 with Sao Paulo, and Ligue 1 in 1993/94, the Coupe de France in 1994/95 and 1997/98, Coupe de la Ligue in 1994/95 and 1997/98, the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup in 1995/96 with PSG and the World Cup with Brazil in 1994. He scored 77 goals in 284 games in total