Sócrates was capped sixty times for Brazil between May 1979 and June 1986. He played for, and captained, Brazil in the 1982 World Cup, partnering Cerezo, Falcao and Zico in midfield. He scored twice in that tournament, one of them being a marvellous goal against the Soviet Union when he dribbled past two players before firing it home from long range. Brazil didn’t reach the semifinals in that tournament, but played some wonderful football.