Former Brazil international Sócrates blamed politics for his short stay in Italy.
The Belém-native, who passed away in December 2011, joined Fiorentina from Corinthians in 1984, but spent just one season with the Florence-based club before returning to Brazil with Flamengo.
“It was a reaction to the politics of the country,” he said, as reported by FIFA.com on Friday. “I didn’t feel any connection whatsoever. I had a sad year there and I ended up coming home. My world is here in Brazil.”