Top 5 Brazilian footballers of all time

4. Garrincha

Garrincha is one of the most loved footballers in Brazil's history.

Known in Brazil as the "Joy of the people", Garrincha is perhaps the most undercovered footballing legend of all time. One of the greatest dribblers of all-time, Garrincha was a contemporary of Pele and helped usher in a Golden Age of Brazilian football.

Although Pele was undoubtedly the star of the Brazilian team, in 1962 when he was injured, Garrincha took charge in Brazil's World Cup campaign and became the first player in history to win the Golden Boot, Golden Ball, and World Cup in the same tournament.

Garrincha's exploits have been recognised by FIFA over the years, with the Brazilian being included in the All-Time World Cup XI in 1994, came 7th in the Player of the Century, and was included in the Best XI of the 20th Century.

His illustrious career on the pitch was not transferred to his personal life, however. Like his father, Garrincha suffered from alcoholism throughout his entire adult life and it would eventually take his life in 1983.

He also suffered from bodily issues, with his legs being different lengths and bending in slightly different directions, leading to a doctor diagnosing him as crippled when he was a boy, which is amazing when considering he is one of football's greatest ever dribblers.

His teammate Pele stated that "Garrincha was an incredible player, one of the best there has ever been. He could do things with the ball that no other player could."