Fears for Brazil legend Socrates

LEGEND ... Socrates

BRAZIL legend Socrates has been admitted to hospital in a critical condition and placed on life-support.

It is the third time the former Brazilian national team captain has been rushed to hospital in recent months, having first fallen ill in the summer.

The 57-year-old was admitted to Sao Paulo's Albert Einstein hospital on August 20 suffering from internal bleeding, and was re-admitted on September 6 with the same problem.

He was released 16 days later.

But local reports have today confirmed Socrates had been returned to intensive care suffering from "a generalised infection in the body, caused by the existence of bacteria in the bloodstream".

The hospital say Socrates is suffering from septic shock as a result of the infection.

He has undergone dialysis treatment and is breathing with the help of a ventilator, with his condition considered critical.

Socrates is regarded as one of the greatest players of his generation, a cultured midfielder who won 60 caps for the Brazil national side, scoring 22 goals.