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A country doesn’t win a historic five World Cups if they have shabby players in their squad and boy Brazil have had some brilliant ones over the years. The country that changed the way football has been played have produced a minimum of at least two sensational players every decade and will continue to do so over the years. But who are the best among the rest? Browse through this list of the best Brazilian players to get the answer.
#1 Pele
You don’t win three FIFA World Cups if you’re a shabby player and Pele was anything but shabby. The legendary Brazilian is without doubt the greatest footballer to have ever played the game (no disrespect to a certain Argentine gentleman) and possessed skills on the field that were possibly superhuman.
That’s the only way to explain his over 1000-goal-scoring-record. Besides helping Brazil win three World Cups, Pele is also his country’s all time top scorer with 77 goals and did numerous things for his country after he hung up his boots. The iconic number 10 who was declared as a national treasure by his country has won countless personal accolades in a Brazil shirt including a Golden Ball in 1958 for being the best player of that edition of the World Cup. The Samba continent will continue to produce countless wonder-kids but Pele will always be irreplaceable.
#2 Ronaldo
Next up on this list is Brazil’s second all time top scorer and one of the most prolific goalscorers of all time. Much before a certain Portuguese namesake came on the scene the football world was dominated by one name – Ronaldo. The legendary number 9 won almost everything there is to win as a player at club level as well as in a Brazil shirt. The striker is a two time World Cup winner and is currently the tournament’s second highest all time goalscorer and is a two time Copa America winner. The man who scored for fun netted 62 goals for Brazil during his nearly two decade long stint with the national team and forming a feared attacking partnership with Ronaldinho and Rivaldo. The trio referred to as the ‘three R’s’ during the 2002 World Cup. They didn’t call him ‘The phenomenon’ for nothing.
#3 Romario
Another great striker who lead the line for Brazil for nearly two decades was Romario. The prolific Brazilian, who is said to have scored more than a 1000 goals, helped his country lift 2 Copa America’s and 1 World Cup. Many fellow players including his countryman Ronaldo, with who he formed a lethal partnership that was lovingly referred to as Ro-Ro, have listed Romario as one of the game’s greatest players and a true ‘fox in the box’. The legend scored 62 goals for Brazil making their third highest all time top scorer.
#4 Zico
Unlike his illustrious peers Zico has never won a World Cup but that does not take away his absolute brilliance as a player. Undoubtedly one of the greatest attacking midfielders of all time, Zico was a part of the iconic 1982 Brazil squad and was named as the best player of 1983 by World Soccer. The legendary midfielder scored 48 goals in 71 appearances for Brazil making him their fourth highest top scorer along with one of their greatest ever players. Fans in India will get to see a lot of him this winter as he’s in the country coaching FC Goa of the inaugural Indian Super League.
#5 Bebeto
The speedy forward was one of the best players of the ‘90s and is unsurprisingly considered as one of the greatest players to put on a yellow shirt for Brazil. Bebeto scored 39 goals in 75 appearances for Brazil making him their fifth highest all time top scorer and along with Romario helped Brazil get their hands on the 1994 World Cup. Other silverware Bebeto won with Brazil include the Copa America and Confederations Cup trophies. The iconic forward won a host of personal trophies and was declared as the South American player of the year back in 1989.
#6 Rivaldo
Three footballers showed the world what an attacking midfielder truly is. The first was Bobby Charlton, the second was Michel Platini and the third was Rivaldo. It was pure magic whenever Rivaldo played and with him in the squad Brazil were one of the most feared attacking units in world football. Rivaldo helped his country win 1 FIFA World Cup, 1 Confederations Cup, 1 Copa America along with a third place finish in the Olympics. The dynamic midfielder also won a host of personal awards including 1 FIFA World Player Of The Year Award, 1 Ballon D’Or, the World Cup silver boot among many other awards.
#7 Ronaldinho
We thought we had seen everything on the football field, but that was before Ronaldinho made the scene. The showman of the game performed moves that defied logic and was literally magical on the pitch, so much so that some thought he was superhuman. The Brazilian icon was one of the superstars of the World Cup and was part of the ‘three R’s’ the others being Ronaldo and Rivaldo. The midfielder helped Brazil win 1 World Cup, 1 Copa America and 1 Confederations Cup among other trophies. Needless to say Ronaldinho’s amazing skills won him loads of personal allocates some of them being 1 Ballon D’Or, 2 FIFA World Player Of The Year awards, 1 Ballon D’Or and 1 Golden Foot award along with a host of others.
#8 Roberto Carlos
Truly one of the best full-backs football has ever seen Roberto Carlos will go down in history as one of the games most entertaining defenders. Best known for his thunderous half line free kick against France in the Tournol De France in 1997, Carlos was a real beauty to watch when in full form. Besides some incredible runs down the left flank the defender also provided some valuable assists which helped him teammates score match winning goals. The iconic full back helped Brazil win 1 World Cup, 2 Copa Americas and 1 Confederations Cup among other trophies. Marcelo has carried Carlos’ legacy forward but the Real Madrid man will never be able to fully replace his illustrious predecessor.
#9 Cafu
Brazil had the best left-back in the world in the form of Carlos and the best right back in the world in the form of Cafu. The former AC Milan hero was amazing down the right flank and was part of the national set-up for nearly two decades – something an ordinary player doesn’t achieve. Brazil’s most capped player helped his country win 2 World Cups, 2 Copa America’s and 1 Confederations Cup among other trophies. The highly decorated Brazilian won plenty of personal awards on the side including the prestigious South American Player of the Year award. Dani Alves is a good right-back but Cafu was something else.
#10 Dida
Brazil have been mostly known for their attacking talent and not their goalkeeping talent but Dida is a brilliant reminder of the national team’s glorious past. The iconic shot stopper was an integral part of the Brazil national team for over a decade and was key to their success in that era. Dida helped Brazil win 1 World Cup, 1 Copa America and 2 Confederations Cups along with other silverware. The World Cup winning goalkeeper also won plenty of personal awards on the side like the FIFPro Goalkeeper Of the Year award and Best Brazilian Goalkeeper of the 21st Century award.
