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From the brilliant Zico to the charismatic Ricardo Kaka, Brazil have always had some brilliant midfielders at their disposal.
In their comparison, the current crop of Brazilian midfielders can come off as a little bland, a little less gifted. Yes, most Brazilian midfielders tend to lack the typical Brazilian flair these days, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they aren’t capable of delivering the goods.
Here are five Brazilian midfielders who are making their predecessors proud in world football right now:
#5 Douglas Luiz - Aston Villa
Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz is one of the most industrious midfielders in the English Premier League. The former Manchester City man moved to Villa Park in 2019, hoping to reinforce their midfield. So far, he has not failed to live up to the billing.
The Brazilian midfielder operates as a central defensive midfielder at Aston Villa but can also play a little further up the pitch when needed. He hates taking unnecessary risks and focuses on retaining possession. Even during Villa attacks, he often hovers just around the penalty area, looking for opportunities to either retain the ball or go for a long-ranger.
Luiz is not the most physically imposing central-defensive midfielder you will find. But what he lacks in physical attributes he more than makes up for with pinpoint passing.
The Brazil international also has impressive vision and is currently the unabashed leader of Aston Villa’s capable midfield. He has made 14 appearances in the Premier League this season, providing three assists.
#4 Fred - Manchester United
Manchester United midfielder Fred is hardly the most respected name in the Premier League right now. Many Red Devils fans believe he is well below United’s standard and should not even be in contention for a place in the starting XI. Yet the player has retained his place in the team even after the departure of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Truth be told, Fred is hardly the most aesthetic player you will find. His distribution is below par, he rarely gets decisive goals, and he often gives away possession cheaply. What he is good at, however, is chasing the ball for the entire 90 minutes.
Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick has kept him in his team for his tireless legs and pressing pedigree.
However, if Manchester United are expecting to get into the top four, only the two aforementioned traits are unlikely to cut it. Manchester United will need Fred to bank on his genes and play the type of football Brazil is famous for - entertaining and deceptively effective.
#3 Lucas Paqueta - Olympique Lyon
When AC Milan bought Lucas Paqueta from Flamengo in 2020, they expected the midfielder to emerge as the team’s primary creative outlet. The Brazilian felt the burden of responsibility and failed to live up to the billing at the San Siro.
The Serie A giants shipped him off to Lyon in the summer of 2020, allowing the young Brazilian to turn his life around. The attacking midfielder has slotted in effortlessly in a central midfield role at Lyon. He dictates play with his distribution and also pops up with decisive goals and assists whenever he gets the chance.
So far, he has made 22 appearances in all competitions this season, registering seven goals and four assists.
#2 Fabinho - Liverpool
Liverpool midfielder Fabinho is one of the calmest players you will find in Europe. The Brazilian holding midfielder is an expert at neutralizing threats, can read the game exceptionally well, and is capable of dropping even deeper if needed.
Jurgen Klopp also used Fabinho as a centre-back last season, owing to injuries to Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez. As expected, the former Monaco man aced the test and saved the Reds’ blushes when they were short of options at the back.
Fabinho has played in midfield this season and has helped Liverpool be at their explosive best in all competitions. He has formed a rewarding alliance with former Bayern Munich midfielder Thiago, allowing the Reds to dominate the midfield battle in the Premier League. The Brazilian has made 19 appearances in all competitions in the present campaign, scoring and assisting once apiece.
#1 Casemiro - Real Madrid
Since Zinedine Zidane was made Real Madrid’s head coach in 2016, the club have not tinkered with their midfield trio. The tried-and-tested midfield of Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, and Casemiro won three consecutive Champions Leagues under Zidane before the Frenchman’s voluntary departure.
It is difficult to pick the most important member of the world-class midfield, but if we had to choose one, we’d go with the Brazilian.
Kroos and Modric are widely regarded as two of the best midfielders of this generation, but very few include Casemiro in the conversation. Since becoming a regular at Real Madrid, Casemiro has made countless interceptions and saved innumerable goals.
He has saved the often-fragile Real Madrid defense more times than one can count, without thinking about getting recognition.
Casemiro also has a knack for going for the spectacular and often pops up with decisive goals for his team. The central defensive midfielder is the heart and soul of his club and country, and there’s hardly anyone better than him in his position.
