The 10 best Brazilian footballers of all time

In football, certain teams are almost like the game itself. Whether it's the pure white of Real Madrid, the red of Manchester United, or the blue and garnet of Barcelona, ​​some clubs are instantly recognizable to people all over the world.

However, one shirt and team is perhaps more synonymous with the good game than any other: Brazil. The yellow and green shirts of the Seleção are unmistakable, and some of the players who wear them are some of the biggest and most talented stars to ever play the game.

Whether it's for the national team or their teams, the South American powerhouse has produced some of the most loved and respected footballers of all time, and even though they haven't won a World Cup in a while, you just know it won't be long until they add a sixth star to that iconic crest. There is even a Copa America this summer so more success may be in the offing.

With that, here is a list of players who we believe are the ten greatest Brazilian footballers, based on their overall impact at any team or international level during their careers…

10

Jairzinho

1960-1982

The first name on our list is the logo of Brazil's 1970 World Cup team, and the man who spent most of his life with the club he joined as a child: Botafogo.

A storm, or o Your Portuguese-speaking Furacão over there, scored 249 goals in his twelve-year career, and 186 came in just 416 games for Botafogo.

His remarkable career ended in 1982 with a trophy cabinet full and 81 caps for the national team to his name, in which he scored 33 goals.

9

Kaka

2000-2014

We enter the modern day of our next star, almost, as the ninth place comes with the brilliant Kaka.

This month born in Gama moved to AC Milan from São Paulo in 2003, and in the next six seasons, he will be one of the best players in the world, winning Serie A, Champions League, FIFA Club World Cup. and the Ballon d'Or, all before completing a historic £56m move to Real Madrid in June 2009, the same summer Los Blancos also welcomed Cristiano Ronaldo.

Unfortunately, while at Madrid, the extremely talented midfielder suffered from persistent knee problems, which prevented him from making the impact many thought he would have.

After another five years playing for Orlando City and São Paulo, he finally retired, having played 92 matches for Brazil and 29 international goals.

8

Neymar

2009-present

We've only reached the current player on the list, and, of course, whether you love him or hate him, Neymar Jr has to be on it.

Despite a controversial move to the Saudi Pro League last summer, the 32-year-old has had an impressive career, which has seen him lift the Champions League with Barcelona and win Ligue 1 titles with the likes of Paris Saint-Germain. 'it's nothing.

However, for all the hope that was placed on his shoulders with the national team, the man with more national team goals than Pele has never been able to lead the country to World Cup glory, and due to his current injury, he has failed until this summer's Copa América.

That said, with 302 goals in 511 club appearances and 79 goals in 128 national team appearances, the Mogi das Cruzes-born ace deserves to be counted among the best Seleção players of all time.

7

Zico

1971-1994

We go back again, as the sixth star on this list is the player Gary Lineker described as “unbelievable,” Zico.

Born in Rio de Janeiro, the 5 foot 8 midfielder was a tour de force for his country, scoring 529 goals in 724 games for Flamengo, and while he couldn't win the World Cup, he was a key member of the team. In 1979 the team won the Copa América and he eventually retired with 71 senior caps to his name.

At club level, he won a mountain of trophies with Flamengo, including seven national titles, before moving to Japanese side Kashima Antlers, where he won the league in 1993 and is now a technical adviser – whatever.

6

Rivaldo

1991-2015

From an icon who couldn't win a World Cup to a superstar, Rivaldo is the next name on the list.

The Recife-born prodigy played a key role in Brazil's 2002 victory over Japan and South Korea, scoring in the first five games and forming a killer trio alongside Ronaldinho and Ronaldinho – more on that later.

He may have been in the headlines for another embarrassing performance against Turkey, but fans should not forget that he was a brilliant player. After all, you don't collect 74 high caps for free.

In addition, he won the Coppa Italia and Champions League with AC Milan, as well as two La Ligas, the Copa del Rey, and the UEFA Super Cup with Barcelona.

5

Romario

1985-2007*

He may be playing a cold political game today, but during his prime, Romario was one of the best.

During his international career, the Rio-born forward won 70 caps and scored 55 goals – only Neymar, Pele and Ronaldo scored more – winning two Copa Americas and the 1994 World Cup.

He was equally successful at club level, winning three Eredivisie titles with PSV Eindhoven, one La Liga title with Barcelona and one league title with Vasco da Gama.

4

Ronaldinho

1998-2015

The fourth place belongs to the most exciting football player ever, or at least on this list.

Ronaldinho started his career in his homeland with Gremio before moving to PSG in 2001.

Just a few years and some great performances later, he was able to move to Barcelona, ​​where he scored 70 goals in just 145 games, won two La Liga titles and lifted the Champions League, all to the delight of fans and rivals alike. technical ability.

In the international competition, the player born in Porto Alegre won 97 matches, in which he scored 33 goals, including. That one against David Seaman, they won one Copa América and one World Cup.

However, England's goalkeepers' union got the last laugh as Joe Hart managed to save a penalty from the midfielder in his 2013 penalty shootout. However, we're sure he hasn't lost any sleep over that one in the same way that Seaman might. be.

3

Garrincha

1951-1972

The bronze medal goes to Garrincha, who played alongside Pele in Brazil's 1958 World Cup win and became a star after four years of absence, showing how important he was to the nation's success in football.

The rare winner only made 50 appearances for the national team, but his impact is almost unrivaled.

In his ten-year playing career, he made 238 appearances for Botafogo, where he scored 84 goals, before playing for teams such as Corinthians, Flamengo and Colombia's Atlético Junior.

2

Ronaldo

1993-2011

The second place on this list is reserved for, as some might call him, the real Ronaldo.

Full name Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima, but often referred to simply as R9, the Itaguaí-born star was an absolute beast of a footballer.

In 454 appearances for the club, the elusive forward scored 298 goals and provided 75 assists. He averaged 1.2 goal involvements per game throughout his career, meaning the average was even better during his prime.

At club level, he won La Liga, Cope del Rey, UEFA Cup, and KNVB Cup, and at international level, he won two World Cups and two Copa Americas.

By the time he retired, he had played 98 games, scoring 62 goals – speaking of legacy.

1

First

1956-1977

We've reached number one on the list, and, come on, who else could it be?

Of course, the best Brazilian soccer player of all time is the late Pele, and others will not stop in Brazil.

The sports star was the Messiah of his era, and although most football fans today would never have seen him play, they all know his name, and probably know his face.

There is some debate about how many goals Pele scored at club level, but we can be sure that the number is at least 680, and in Brazil, he scored 77 goals in 92 games.

He was also a key player in the country's first World Cup victory in 1958, although he was only 17 at the time. He would finish his career with two others, although he missed most of the 1962 season due to injury.