Top 10 Best Brazilian Footballers of All Time (Ranked)

Whenever one thinks of beautiful football, Brazilian players are certain to pop up in their mind. Brazil as a nation is obsessed with football and has produced some of the greatest footballers to grace the game. Brazil popularized the term ‘Jogo Bonito’, which translates to ‘the beautiful game’. It means allowing players to express themselves on the pitch as they dominate and attack the opponent’s goal. It provides entertaining football with many magical moments in each game.

Brazil has won a record five FIFA World Cup titles and has been able to marry the concept of ‘Jogo Bonito’ with effective dominance over the years. Their players are known for their flair, skills, and talent, and this continues to this day. Brazil is one of the few countries blessed with some of the most skillful and legendary players the world has ever seen, from Pele & Garrincha to Ronaldo Nazario & Kaka to now Neymar Jr & Vinicius Jr. On that note, let’s take a look at the top 10 Best Brazilian footballers of all time:

List of Best Brazilian Footballers Ever

Now, let’s take a look at our list of the 10 best Brazilian footballers in their history. We had a hard time filtering out players from such a large talent pool filled with players. Players like Roberto Carlos, Neymar Junior, Dida, and Cafu couldn’t make it to our list, which sums up how blessed they’ve been.

How We Ranked the Best Brazilian Footballers Ever?

Who is the Best Brazilian Football Player of All Time?

Ever wondered why some of these players were picked, leaving out players who played consistently throughout their career, but still couldn’t make it? It’s their ability, class, and performance when it matters the most.

10. Kaka

Kaka is inarguably one of the most underrated players of the modern era. The Brazilian midfielder had sensational spells with some of the biggest clubs like AC Milan and Real Madrid, winning numerous trophies. He also won the Ballon d’Or in 2007, before the iconic Cristiano Ronaldo-Lionel Messi era began.

Kaka also won the FIFA World Cup trophy in 2002 with Brazil and overall recorded 29 goals and 23 assists in 92 games for the national side. He was known for his elegance on the pitch, along with his ball-carrying skills and excellent shot-making.

9. Jairzinho

Perhaps not the most popular, but Jairzinho is certainly one of the best Brazilian players of all time. He played for clubs like Marseille and Botafogo, winning numerous trophies.

For Brazil, he made 82 appearances, scoring 35 goals and providing 11 assists. He still holds the record for scoring in every game in one edition of the FIFA World Cup, doing so in 1970 as his side won the trophy.

8. Socrates

Socrates didn’t win a trophy with Le Selecao, but his legacy for his country on and off the pitch was immense. He scored 22 goals and provided 10 assists in 60 games for the side. He was also a qualified doctor!

Off the pitch, Socrates had a big impact in the country against the military government. FIFA introduced the Socrates Award in 2022 in his name to honor footballers’ humanitarian efforts off the pitch.

7. Zico

Zico was a legendary footballer, having played for the likes of Flamengo and Kashima Antlers. He scored over 400 goals in his club career, winning numerous trophies. For Brazil, he scored 48 goals and provided 21 assists in 71 games.

Many regard Zico as the greatest Brazilian player to have not won the FIFA World Cup. His ability to curve the ball and his nimble footwork make him one of the best Brazilian footballers in history.

6. Rivaldo

Another FIFA World Cup winner, Rivaldo, is another legend to have come out of the South American country. He played for the likes of AC Milan and Barcelona in his club career, among others, winning almost every trophy possible.

For his national side, he registered 35 goals and 17 assists in 76 games, winning one World Cup and one Copa America. Rivaldo also won the Ballon d’Or in 1999, cementing his stature as one of the best Brazilian footballers ever.

5. Romario

Romario was the Player of the Tournament at the 1994 FIFA World Cup as he helped Le Selecao win the trophy, scoring five goals. He also won two Copa America trophies with them – in 1989 and 1997. Overall, he’s the fourth-highest scorer in the nation’s history with 55 goals and 12 assists in 71 games.

At the club level, Romario played for the likes of Barcelona, PSV Eindhoven, and Fluminense, winning numerous trophies. Winning plenty of individual honors, but what made him one of the Brazilian best football players in history was his ability to perform under pressure.

4. Ronaldinho

Many would put him higher in this list and you could hardly argue with them. Ronaldinho was a kind of footballer, known for his sensational dribbling skills, flair, and tricks. He always played with a smile on the pitch and entertained everyone.

He registered around 200 goals and 170 assists in his club career with the likes of Barcelona, AC Milan, and PSG. He also won the Ballon d’Or in 2005. For Brazil, Ronaldinho scored 33 goals and provided 29 assists in 97 games, winning the 2002 FIFA World Cup and the 1999 Copa America.

3. Mane Garrincha

Mane Garrincha got the nickname ‘Bent-Legged Angel’ because of his uneven legs and bent spine. He was brilliant on the pitch with his ability to get past multiple players with ease. The Brazilian winger was known for his silky touch and his vision for creating chances out of nowhere. Many regard him as one of the greatest dribblers.

Garrincha helped Le Selecao win the 1958 FIFA World Cup and then played a huge role in their title defense four years later. He registered 12 goals and eight assists in 50 games for the side. Garrincha is hailed as one of the best Brazilian football players in history.

2. Ronaldo Nazario

Many regard Ronaldo Nazario as the best striker of all time and believe that if not for injuries, he could’ve achieved much more than he did. However, he achieved plenty regardless. Ronaldo played for the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona, AC Milan, and Inter Milan, scoring 309 goals and providing 75 assists in just 481 games.

He won almost every trophy available and went on to win two Ballons d’Or – 1997 and 2002. For Brazil, ‘El Fenomeno’ scored 62 goals and contributed 32 assists in 99 games, winning two World Cups (1994, 2002) and two Copa America titles (1997, 1999).

1. Pele

Who else if not the icon himself? Regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, Pele is a footballing God. He helped Le Selecao win three FIFA World Cups – 1958, 1962, and 1970. He was the nation’s all-time top scorer with 77 goals before Neymar recently overtook him.

Pele scored over 800 goals in his career for club and country, winning numerous trophies. The legend passed away in 2022. His record of three World Cups remains untouched even to this day, which showcases his class and unreal talent, making him the best Brazilian football player.