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Brazil has produced some of the best players throughout the history of the game, from Pelé and Garrincha in the sixties, Zico and Socrates in the eighties, to Ronaldo, Romario, Ronaldinho and Neymar in the past 25 years.
Entertainment, flair, dribbling skills and creativity is what Brazilian football is all about.
With the FIFA World Cup being on the doors, the Seleção will be looking to redeem self-esteem after the humiliating exit at the hands of the Germans on home soil, in 2014. Here are the top 10 Brazilian footballers, who will be looking to be part of the squad in trip to Russia.
#10 - Fabinho:
Fabinho has just come out of his best season ever in professional football, after helping AS Monaco clinch the French league title from the hands of Paris Saint Germain.
The 23-year old was capable of making the transition from right back to central midfield, and is now considered one of the best under 23 players at his position. Fabinho needs another season at the top level, in order to earn a higher position in the top 10.
#9 - Willian:
Willian hit his peak in between 2015 and early 2016, and was in that period, arguably, the best performer at Brazil's national team and Chelsea.
However, his club performances have regressed and the Brazilian has lost his place in the starting lineup to Spain international Pedro, whom Antonio Conte seems to favour. Willian remains an experienced player who would be of good use as super sub for many national teams.
#8 - Roberto Firmino:
Roberto Firmino had an inconsistent season at Liverpool, but he starts the new one with 3 goals and 3 assists in just 5 games. After taking the number nine shirt, it seems that the 25-year old is finally determined to improve his goal-scoring figures, as Jurgen Klopp has officially named him the first-option penalty taker.
Firmino's overall link-up play, movement and play-making skills were never short of impressive, but extra goals were the only aspect missing in his game. With a top campaign at Anfield, Firmino easily has the potential to reach a higher position in the top 10.
#7 - Thiago Silva:
In normal circumstances two years ago, Thiago Silva's place would have certainly been in the top 5. However, his injury woes have increased which means that Silva has not been able to show his best level on a constant basis.
However, he remains Brazil's best center back. Dominant in aerial duels, a monster in the penalty box and one of the best deep-lying play-makers in activity, the Paris Saint Germain captain needs to remain-injury free if he was to earn one last shot at the FIFA World Cup.
#6 - Dani Alves:
Dani Alves has been criticized for lacking consistency and being defensively fragile when dealing with pacy wingers, but in the second half of last season, the veteran stepped up when it mattered the most, in decisive Champions League knockout tie against FC Barcelona and AS Monaco.
Alves might be getting old, but during his peak days, he was arguably the best fullback in the world, and it seems that he is still willing to challenge himself and to pull one more season at high level.
#5 - Casemiro:
Casemiro has cemented himself as an essential part of Real Madrid's tactical scheme in the past 2 seasons.
The Brazilian midfielder went from being considered the weak link in Zinedine Zidane's lineup, to being labelled by many, as the best defensive midfielder in the world. Casemiro's road was full of obstacles, but he was able to overcome all the difficulties.
His goals against Juventus in the Champions League final and Manchester United in the UEFA Supercup, were the rewards that a player with his dedication deserved.
#4 - Gabriel Jesus:
In terms of importance for Brazil's national team, Gabriel Jesus is arguably top 2. But if club achievements were to be taken into consideration as well, then the 4th spot seems just about right for a 20-year old who has impressed right from his arrival to the English Premier League. Jesus is the striker that Brazil's national team has been missing.
His ability of receiving the ball with his back turned to goal, his intelligent movement and infiltration to the penalty box and his eye-for-goal, make him the ideal striker in Tite's tactical scheme.
#3 - Philippe Coutinho:
Philippe Coutinho has headlined the press during the summer transfer window, after Barcelona interest grow at the point where they were ready to throw more than $160 million in order to acquire the services of the Liverpool man.
The 25-year old can play on both flanks as wide play-maker who has the required technical ability to cut-in and have a go at goal, but can also operate as central midfielder, with the responsability of creating play and organizing his team's build-up. Such a multi-talented footballer, who shows up in big games more often than not.
#2 - Marcelo:
If there are still doubts as to whether Casemiro is the best defensive midfielder in the world, and there are certainly none, as to whether his Real Madrid teammate Marcelo, is the greatest left back in activity.
Marcelo has helped Los Blancos win it all in the past few months, including the Spanish league title and the UEFA Champions League. His quarter-final performance against FC Bayern is considered one of the best displays ever, by a fullback, in the history of the game.
In 2014, Marcelo was one of the main culprits in that humiliating defeat against Germany, but he will be looking to write his name in the history books, for the right reasons, this time in 2018.
#1 - Neymar Jr:
Neymar has the been the best Brazilian footballer in the past few years, and has helped the national team win the Confederations Cup in 2013, as well achieve Olympic Gold in the Rio games in 2016. At the age of 25, Neymar decided to leave FC Barcelona and join Paris Saint Germain, where he will have the opportunity to guide his own team in the UEFA Champions League.
Neymar is the typical Brazilian footballer who entertains the fans with his skills, creative approaches and improvisation. If he can guide his nation to World Cup triumph in 2018, then he would no doubt cement his place as one of the greatest players in the history of the game.
