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#3 Kaka
Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite, or simply 'Kaka', was born in Gama, Brazil, in 1982. He began his career in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and went on to play for AC Milan, Real Madrid and MLS side Orlando City SC.
Kaka won two league titles, two domestic cups and one UEFA Champions League during his club career. With Brazil, the midfielder won the 2002 FIFA World Cup as well as two Confederations Cups (2005, 2009). He also won the Ballon d'Or award in 2007, after winning the UEFA Champions League with Milan that year.
Kaka was known for his attacking prowess, dribbling past opponents with ease and scoring like a striker. He was good with both feet, headed the ball reasonably well, and had incredible pace. In 529 career appearances, he scored 161 goals and provided 154 assists.
The Brazilian scored one of the best goals ever scored in the Champions League. In 2007 against Manchester United, he beat three defenders and the goalkeeper to score an amazing goal.
You can watch that clip here:
Kaka was dangerous when he ran at defenders, and could switch directions swiftly and effortlessly. In a Champions League game in 2005, he made light work of the opposition defence, cutting through them like a knife through butter en route to scoring a great goal.
You can watch the highlight of that goal here:
Kaka retired in 2017 after declining multiple offers to play for Sao Paulo and AC Milan. He later confirmed that he would work in a directorial role with Milan.
#2 Neymar
Neymar da Silva Santos Junior, known as Neymar Jr., was born in Mogi das Cruzes, Brazil, in 1992. He began his career with Santos in 2009, and has since played for Barcelona and now Paris Saint-Germain. The Brazilian is widely renowned for his incredible footwork, tricks and flicks.
He has won nine domestic league titles, seven domestic cups, one UEFA Champions League and one Copa Libertadores in his career thus far. With Brazil, he won the Confederations Cup in 2013.
Neymar is fabulous at using the space available to him, be it around a defender, over their head, or even through their legs. In 2015, in a game against Villarreal, he produced a moment of sheer genius and class. Neymar flicked Luis Suarez's pass over his own head, turned the defender and finished into the bottom corner.
You can watch that clip here:
Earlier in his career, the Brazilian maestro produced a moment of brilliance for Santos against Flamengo. Neymar combined with his teammates to start an incredible solo run that saw him knock the ball around a defender before scoring a coolly taken goal. He made it 3-0 for Santos in the first half with that goal.
You can watch that clip here:
Also check out Neymar's Net Worth in 2021, his expenses and investments all in one place.
#1 Ronaldinho
Ronaldo de Assis Moreira, known as Ronaldinho Gaucho, was born in Porto Alegre, Brazil, in 1980.
He began his professional career with Brazilian club Gremio in 1998, and went on to play for Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona, AC Milan and Flamengo, among others. Ronaldinho is best known for his innovative skill moves that left defenders bewildered.
The Brazilian has won four domestic league titles, four domestic cups and one UEFA Champions League with Barcelona in 2006. With Brazil, he enjoyed great success too, winning the Copa America in 1999, the FIFA World Cup in 2002 and the Confederations Cup in 2005.
Ronaldinho produced a moment of magic in 2002 in a World Cup game against England. He saw goalkeeper David Seaman off his line, attempted an audacious looping free-kick from more than 40 yards, and scored.
You can watch that clip here:
The Brazilian was also incredibly aware of a football's movement and bounce, and always used it to his advantage. He is widely credited with inventing the 'elastico' - a quick move to freeze and beat a defender using a rapid change of direction.
An example of Ronaldinho's 'elastico' can be seen here:
The Brazilian was loved by both sets of fans at all the clubs he played for. The only way to conclude this article would be with a collection of Ronaldinho's best moments from the Champions League.
You can watch that clip here:
Ronaldinho announced his retirement in January 2018 as one of the greatest players to have played the game.
