Ballon d’Or is a very well-known prize in the soccer world. Created by the French magazine France Football it awards the best player in the world every season (Lionel Messi is the biggest winner). Last month, Ballon d’Or announced a new and important category for players involved in social issues and charity, which took the name of Sócrates, an important player for Corinthians in the 80s due to his leadership in “Corinthians Democracy”, a movement created by some players from the club which was against the dictator Figueiredo that commanded Brazil in the time.
Sócrates is considered one of the biggest idols of Corinthians fans that, with Corinthians Democracy, made a complete change in the history of the club, transforming it into a democracy, where all the employees had the same importance on decisions, from the clothes person to the president. The participants of this campaign besides him were Wladimir, Casagrande, and Zenon. Aside from being an intelligent soccer player, Sócrates also graduated in medicine, and because of that, he was called “Doctor” by everyone. That is why on October 17th there will be a new prize in Doctor’s name, for players who are involved in those projects just like he was. “The Sócrates Award will identify the best solidarity actions carried out by committed champions” – said France Football.
The prize winner will be elected by a jury that counts with the partnership of “Peace and Sport” — an international organization that uses sport as a tool for the construction of a world fairer, safer, pacific, and inclusive – and Raí, Sócrates’ brother and an idol to São Paulo fans, who is also a big winner in soccer. “He always believed in the power of mobilization and transformation through sport, to make society egalitarian. He demonstrated that as a player with his fight for Brazilian democracy during the revolutionary experience of Corinthians Democracy”, said his brother to the magazine Gazeta Esportiva. He finished by saying that even 11 years after his death, Sócrates continued being the symbol of a champion committed to a fairer world.
The importance of this new prize is bigger than it looks. It is a way to encourage soccer players to participate in social issues and an attempt to transform the football world into a safer place for everyone. Also, the inclusion of the kids and sports fans could inspire them to see their idols winning and representing this important symbol to society, realizing the fact that soccer is a sport trying to improve in social cases and Sócrates was (and still is) everything they need as a representation to it.
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The article above was edited by Ana Beatriz Aith.
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