In brief
Brazil has produced some of the world’s most skilled and talented football players, like Neymar and Ronaldinho, thanks to its rich football culture and challenging playing conditions.
The nation has a history of producing elite defenders, like as Cafu and Roberto Carlos, who were crucial to Brazil’s victory.
Prominent athletes like Pele and Ronaldo have cemented their status as the best in Brazil’s history.
Brazil is a football-mad and football-royal country. There is truly nowhere like the lovely game, which is enjoyed by both young and elderly, from the beaches to the favelas. Due to the nation’s extreme poverty, children frequently play on small, constrained courts with subpar equipment. However, difficult circumstances frequently produce the best stars, much like in boxing and other combat sports.
Because of the circumstances, many Brazilian players are gifted with incredibly fast feet and deft control—you could almost believe the ball was glued to their boot. Compared to what we would consider’skilful’ European players, players from all generations have possessed a degree of ball mastery that is just unmatched.
The Selecao have won more World Cups than any other country, which is actually not surprising. Who are their best players, though? They have had several unquestionable legends, from Pele to Ronaldo. It’s among the most difficult questions, yet it has been addressed below.
Factors that rank
It’s an opinion-based game, as football always is. Since every football fan will have different opinions on every subject, some restrictions have had to be placed on our rankings. The following criteria were utilised to establish the order in the list that follows:
Lifespan
Global achievement
Club achievement
Technical proficiency
Objectives Helps
20Taffarel
Brazil caps: 101
A single error may ruin a goalie’s reputation, unlike any other position, particularly in Brazil. Moacir Barbosa, the country’s top player in the 1950 World Cup, was essentially banished after giving up two goals to Uruguay in the tournament’s main match. Unlike his unjustly ostracised predecessor, Taffarel’s best moment came in a World Cup final in 1994, as he held Italy at bay for 120 minutes before guiding Brazil to victory in a penalty shootout.
The tiny 5′ 11″ goalie was not immune to mistakes. The footballer who had been known as Claudio insisted on being dubbed Taffarel following a particularly bad performance at the beginning of his illustrious career. As the Brazilian made the unorthodox decision to relocate to Europe, where he flourished for Parma and Galatasaray, that moniker would come to symbolise a new age of contemporary goalkeeping.
The Career of Taffarel
Group
Years
International
From 1985 to 1990
Parma.
1990–1993
Reggiana
1993–1994
Mineiro Atletico
1995–1998
Galatasaray
From 1998 to 2001
Parma.
From 2001 to 2003
Brazil
1988–1998
19Marcelo
Brazil caps: 58
For years at Los Blancos, Marcelo, a former Real Madrid player, was entrusted with the duty of being Cristiano Ronaldo’s right-hand man. After starting his remarkable career at Fluminense, the European powerhouses quickly saw how excellent the left-back was. He went on to win five Champions Leagues, numerous domestic cups, and six La Liga titles.
He was and still is unmatched in his field-crossing balls, ability to fly up the flank, and shrewd defence. The Brazilian became one of the top defenders in world football after his incredible career with the Spanish powerhouses in Madrid. Marcelo had a fantastic career with Brazil, earning 58 caps and playing for the team that won the 2013 Confederations Cup. The defender was also a member of the squad that had a successful home run at the 2014 World Cup before falling to Germany in the semifinals.
The Career of Marcelo
Group
Years
Fluminense
2023–present, 2005–2007
Real Madrid
From 2007 to 2022
Olympiacos
2022–2023
Brazil
From 2006 to 2018
18Roberto Carlos
Brazil caps: 127
Roberto Carlos had a hugely successful career, playing for teams like Real Madrid and Inter Milan, and is regarded as one of the best left-backs to have ever set foot on a football ground. Additionally, he played a key role in the 2002 World Cup victory for the Brazilian national team.
Many onlookers were left speechless by the diminutive Brazilian’s ability to shoot in defiance of the law and his propensity to wander up and down the flank as if it were becoming outdated. And that free kick against France isn’t even worth mentioning. He is regarded as one of the most famous and entertaining athletes of the contemporary day.
The Career of Roberto Carlos
Group
Years
Sao Joao Uniao
1991–1993
Mineiro Atletico (loan)
1992–1993
The Palmeiras
1993–1995
Milan Inter
1995–1996
Real Madrid
From 1996 to 2007
Fenerbache
From 2007 to 2009
Corinthians
2010–2011
Makhachkala Anzhi
2011–2012
The Delhi Dynamos
2015–2016
Brazil
1992–2006
17Gerson
Brazil caps: 70
In 2004, Pele made some unexpected choices in his selection of the top 125 football players still alive. Hong Myung-bo of LA Galaxy and Liverpool misfit El Hadji Diouf were included, but Gerson, a crucial colleague from Brazil’s 1970 World Cup-winning squad, was left off.
The clever midfielder’s cool, calculating demeanour on the game earned him the nickname “The Brain” of the best international team in football history. During a live TV broadcast, Gerson ripped up the paper on which Pele’s list was written and lost his head when it was shown. He was understandably disgusted. The key to Brazil’s most famous World Cup victory was the spider at the heart of their enticing web of play.
The Career of Gerson
Group
Years
The Flamengo
1959–1963
Botafogo
1963–1969
Brazil’s Sao Paulo
From 1969 to 1972
Fluminense
1972–1974
Brazil
From 1961 to 1972
16Rivelino
Brazil caps: 92′
Rivelino, a player renowned for his devastating, hard-hitting shot, is another standout performer from the legendary 1970 World Cup lineup to reach the list. At home, he played for Corinthians for the majority of his career and was renowned for his skill at passing and technique in addition to his previously mentioned ability to fire one. Rivelino, like many Brazilian players over the years, had a natural flair that made him stand out from other players in his generation.
The attacking playmaker will be remembered with affection by both Brazil fans and the rest of the football community since he was nearly one of the first to use Ronaldinho’s signature “flip-flap.” He also had an impressive moustache.
The Career of Rivelino
Group
Years
Corinthians
From 1965 to 1974
Fluminese
From 1975 to 1978
Al Hilal
1978–1981
Brazil
From 1965 to 1978
15Falcao
Brazil caps: 28
Falcao and other string-pullers were overshadowed by high-profile figures like Zico and Socrates. He was frequently praised as a “unsung genius” because of his long blonde hair and lengthy lower limbs, which made him difficult to play against yet an immovable object if you lined up with him.
He served as the pivot of Roma’s greatest team ever at home. Since their founding in 1927, the venerable Italian team has only won three league titles, the second of which occurred when Falcao was playing at the base of midfield. After winning Serie A, the regal distributor advanced to the 1984 European Cup final before falling to Liverpool in a penalty shootout. Falcao’s lasting legacy as “The Eighth King of Rome” is his greatest honour, far more significant than any pot of silver he may have earned.
The Career of Falcao
Group
Years
International
1972–1980
Roma
1980–1985
Brazil’s Sao Paulo
1985–1986
Brazil
From 1976 to 1986
