Football
Top 10 most famous Brazilian footballers of all time
Brazil has produced some of the best footballers in history, dominating the pitch both on the club and international stage. The Seleção Canarinha ("Canary Squad") have won a record five FIFA World Cup titles, nine Copa America titles, and numerous other championships.
Brazil have produced some of the best footballers in history, who have dominated the pitch both on the club and international stage. Seleção Canarinha ("Canary Squad", after their bright yellow jersey) have won a record five FIFA World Cup titles, nine Copa America titles, two Panamerican Championships and four FIFA Confederations Cups.
Known for their technical ability, flair and skills, throughout history, there has always been a Brazilian forward leading the world of football. From Pele to Romario to Ronaldinho to Neymar to Vinicius Jr currently, Brazil have always had a star-studded lineup and have always been loved about intensively by fans.
Here we take a look at the top 10 most famous Brazilain footballers of all time:
The 10 most famous Brazilain footballers in history
The 10 most famous Brazilain footballers in history
Rank | Name | International caps |
1 | Pele | 92 |
2 | Ronaldinho | 97 |
3 | Ronaldo Nazario | 99 |
4 | Neymar | 128 |
5 | Cafu | 143 |
6 | Romário | 71 |
7 | Roberto Carlos | 127 |
8 | Jairzinho | 82 |
9 | Garrincha | 50 |
10 | Kaká | 92 |
10. Kaka
Kicking off the list is none other than Kaka. Kaka is one of the few Ballon d’Or winners on the list, having won the prestigious award in 2007.
In 2009, just two years after winning the Ballon d’Or, Kaka joined Real Madrid from AC Milan for a then club record fee close to €67 million.
Kaka is widely recognised as an AC Milan legend and one of the best players to ever feature for the club. He made a total of 307 appearances for the club, scoring 104 goals and winning the UEFA Champions League, Serie A and various different cup titles during his time with the club. On the international football stage, Kaka was a part of the 2002 Brazil’s FIFA World Cup winning squad and he also won two Confederations Cup (2005 and 2009).
9. Garrincha
Garrincha (“Little Bird”) was named by his brother, due to his misshapen legs, which was a result of childhood polio. Despite the early setback, Garrincha became one of the best footballers of his era, regarded by many as one of the greatest dribblers and right-wingers in football history.
He played a key role in Brazil’s FIFA World Cup triumphs in 1958 and 1962 alongside the likes of Pele and Didi. Often regarded by many during that era as an undisciplined star, Garrincha often frustrated his coaches and opponents but was a fan favourite throughout his playing days.
8. Jairzinho
Nicknamed ‘The Hurricane’ due to his strong and skilful style of play and also for his large afro during the later stages of his career. Jairzinho is a right winger who made 81 appearances for Brazil, scoring 33 goals and was a key member of the legendary FIFA World Cup triumph in 1970.
Jarizinho was also very versatile featuring as a striker, second striker and even as an attacking midfielder at times during his playing career. The right winger spent the majority of his club playing for Brazilian club Botafogo. He also had a brief one-year spell with Ligue 1 side Marseille, making 18 appearances and scoring nine goals.
After retiring from his playing career, Jarizinho turned to coaching and worked in his home country Brazil, Japan, Saudi Arabia and UAE.
7. Roberto Carlos
Often regarded as one of the greatest left-backs in football history, there should be no doubt that Roberto Carlos is also one of the most famous Brazilian footballers of all time.
Known for his pace, strength, set piece and shot-striking ability, Carlos was the complete package. Carlos also scored one of the most famous free kicks in football history, almost defying physical when he scored for Brazil vs France in 1997.
He was a part of Real Madrid’s famous Galacticos squad. He won three UEFA Champions League titles, four Intercontinental Cups, four LaLiga titles and various different cup titles during his time with the Los Blancos. While on the international stage, he earned 125 caps, scoring 11 goals from left-back. Roberto Carlos was a key part of the squad that won the 2002 FIFA World Cup and 1997 Confederations Cup.
6. Romário
Romário is one of the most prolific and best strikers in football history. Just like many other players mentioned on this list, Romario was widely successful both on the club and international level.
Romario won the FIFA World Cup (1994), Copa America (1988-89 and 1996-97) and the Confederations Cup (1997) with his national side Brazil.
While on the club level, he was prolific for every club he ever played for, featuring for great clubs like PSV, FC Barcelona, Valencia, Vasco da Gama and Fluminese. He won three Dutch league titles, three Dutch cups, two Dutch supercups, one LaLiga title and one Brazilian championship. He was also awarded the Ballon d'Or Mundial in 1994.
5. Cafu
Cafu is the most-capped Brazilian footballer of all time with 142 caps to his name. Cafu won two World Cups and two Copa America titles. He was very successful on the club level as well, winning the Copa Libertadores twice with Sao Paulo, two Serie A titles with AC Milan and AS Roma, as well as the UEFA Champions League with AC Milan during the 2006-07 season. He etched his name as one of the greatest right-backs in football history.
4. Neymar Jr
Neymar is the only active player on the list, currently plying his trade in the Saudi Pro League with AL Hilal. Neymar still remains the most expensive player in football history, after he joined PSG from FC Barcelona in 2017 in a transfer costing €222 million.
The modern-day Brazilian superstar has won trophies everywhere he has gone. Winning the Copa Libertadores with his hometown club Santos as a 19-year-old and then won the historic treble with FC Barcelona in 2015 and won various domestic trophies with PSG. Although Neymar’s career has taken a hit due to constant injuries in recent years, Neymar Jr has still managed an impressive 79 goals in 128 international caps.
3. Ronaldo Nazario
Ronaldo Nazario is one of the greatest most natural and greatest strikers of all time. The two-time Ballon d’Or winner (1997 and 2002) played for some of the biggest clubs in the world like Real Madrid, Barcelona, Inter Milan, AC Milan and PSV.
Ronaldo was first called up to the Brazil squad that lifted the 1994 FIFA World Cup. and then he lifted the trophy again in 2002, this time playing a prominent part in the triumph. He also won two Copa America titles and one Confederations Cup title in 1997. Ronaldo in many ways was the definition of an ideal number nine, he inspired a lot of modern-day strikers and footballers.
2. Ronaldinho
Ronaldinho is one of the most iconic and famous footballers of all time. The 2005 Ballon d'Or winner inspired an entire generation with his silky and smooth playstyle, tricks and skills. He played for some of the biggest clubs in the world like FC Barcelona, PSG and AC Milan.
Interestingly, a Nike advertisement featuring Ronaldinho was the first YouTube video to hit one million views. Ronaldinho won the league title in both Spain and Italy, while he lifted the UCL trophy with Barcelona in 2005-06. On the international stage, he won the FIFA World Cup (2002) and the Copa America.
1. Pele
Heading the list is none other than Pele. The Brazilian star is definitely the most famous and influential Brazilian footballer in history, He played the majority of his club football with his childhood club Santos and scored a staggering 1,281 goals (approx) in 1,364 games.
He is also the only footballer to win three FIFA World Cups (1958, 1962, and 1970) in history. Pele alongside Diego Maradona were named the best football player of the 20th-21st century by FIFA. Pele remains an iconic footballer to his day and will be talked about as long as football exists.
With over a decade of experience in sports writing, Hardik Malhotra has built a distinguished career in the internet industry. His expertise spans across various domains including Art Direction, Web Content Writing, and Content Management, all underscored by a high degree of initiative. Hardik’s passion for sports is reflected in his professional journey and personal interests.