When you think of Brazil, a few things instantly come to mind: golden beaches, samba dancing, and the smooth rhythm of bossa nova music.
But above all else, there’s one thing that truly defines the heart of the nation—soccer.
In Brazil, soccer isn’t just a game. It’s a way of life. A religion, even. It’s woven into the fabric of everyday existence, passionately followed by over 200 million people, with professional players revered like gods in a temple built on goals, glory, and greatness.
And there has been of greatness. As the most successful nation in soccer history, with a record five World Cup titles, Brazil has produced some of the finest players the sport has ever seen—from flying full-backs and magical midfield maestros to iconic, era-defining strikers.
Here, we rank the top 10 Brazilian soccer players of all time.
10. Garrincha
Away from the soccer field, Manoel Francisco dos Santos—better known as Garrincha—led a troubled and often chaotic life. The Brazilian legend faced allegations of domestic abuse, reportedly fathered at least 14 children, and battled alcoholism, which ultimately contributed to his premature death in 1983 at the age of just 49.
In one particularly disturbing and widely disputed tale, it’s said he lost his virginity to a goat—a story that only adds to the bizarre folklore surrounding his life.
But while Garrincha’s story off the pitch was often tragic, on it, he was nothing short of magical—without question one of the most naturally gifted players of all time.
A lightning-quick winger blessed with extraordinary ball control, flair, and creativity, Garrincha could embarrass defenders with ease and dazzle crowds with his unpredictable dribbling. He was a national icon in Brazil, helping the Seleção win two World Cups in 1958 and 1962—the latter of which he all but carried the team on his own following Pelé’s injury.
When Garrincha played, joy followed. And despite his demons, he remains a symbol of soccer genius in its purest, rawest form.
9. Kaká
Kaká’s prime may have been relatively short, but , was it spectacular.
At his peak with AC Milan in the mid-2000s, the Brazilian playmaker was arguably the best player in the world—crowned with the Ballon d’Or in 2007 after leading the to Champions League glory, finishing as the tournament’s top scorer with 10 goals.
A rare blend of physical power, elegant movement, and outrageous technical ability, Kaká was near unstoppable on one of his trademark marauding runs—gliding past defenders, carrying the ball from deep, and finishing moves with either a perfectly-weighted assist or a clinical goal of his own.
While his 2009 move to Real Madrid never quite lived up to expectations due to injuries and inconsistency, his electrifying years at the San Siro remain unforgettable. At his best, Kaká wasn't just one of the finest Brazilians to ever play the game—he was one of the finest players, period.
8. Roberto Carlos
Described as the "most offensive-minded left-back in the history of the game," Roberto Carlos was an absolute menace in the final third.
Known for his blistering pace, mazy dribbles, and thunderous left foot, he terrorized defenders and goalkeepers alike—delivering wickedly whipped crosses and scoring some truly outrageous goals throughout a glittering career for both club and country.
His most iconic strike came for Brazil against France in 1997, when he bent the ball around the wall and into the net with the outside of his left foot from nearly 40 yards out. To this day, it’s still considered one of the most jaw-dropping goals ever scored.
Carlos was far more than just an attacking force, though. Despite his flair going forward, he was also a fierce and reliable defender—quick, strong, and tough in the tackle, with a low center of gravity that made him hard to beat one-on-one.
7. Neymar Jr.
Because of his tendency to roll around on the floor when tackled and his decision to chase money rather than soccer glory throughout his career—first with Paris Saint-Germain and later with Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Hilal—Neymar’s achievements and talent are often overshadowed and overlooked. But they shouldn’t be.
A boy wonder with Santos who burst onto the scene by scoring one of soccer’s greatest-ever goals, Neymar earned a move to FC Barcelona in 2013. Over the next four seasons, alongside Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez, he formed one-third of the deadliest attacking trio the game has ever seen—bamboozling defenders across Europe with dazzling footwork and trademark flair.
During that time, he was arguably the second-best player in the world behind Messi. And while he never quite hit those same heights following his record-breaking move to PSG in 2017, he still dazzled in France—winning 13 major honors—while also continuing to shine for Brazil, for whom he now stands as the all-time top scorer.
International glory has so far eluded him. But with the 2026 World Cup approaching and Neymar in his mid-thirties, he has one last shot at redemption—one final chance to write the ending his talent has always deserved, and maybe, just maybe, to silence the critics once and for all.
6. Cafu
Brazil has been responsible for producing some truly wonderful full-backs over the years, but Cafu was the best of the bunch.
The AS Roma and AC Milan legend was truly a machine who could get up and down the right flank at a rate and intensity never before seen, nor yet matched, in soccer history—often stopping opponents dead in their tracks in his own half before sprinting the entire length of the pitch and delivering a deadly cross in the opposition’s box.
He was also a superb leader on the pitch, famously captaining Brazil to World Cup glory in 2002—cementing his place as not just the greatest Brazilian full-back, but one of the greatest in the history of the game.
5. Romário
If you had to choose one player in the entire history of soccer to score a goal that would literally save your life (yes, very "," we know), Romário would be a pretty safe bet.
The 1994 FIFA World Player of the Year, Romário played in the Netherlands with PSV Eindhoven, in Spain with Barcelona and Valencia, back home in Brazil for clubs like Flamengo and Vasco da Gama, and even had a stint in the U.S. with Miami FC. Wherever he went, the goals followed—he racked up an eye-watering 690 club goals in just 893 appearances.
For Brazil, he was even more prolific: 55 goals in 70 games, including five during the 1994 World Cup, where he helped lead the Selecão to glory.
Basically, your life is in good hands.
4. Zico
Zico was good at many things: picking passes invisible to the naked eye, weaving his way through hordes of defenders, and dictating the rhythm of a match like a conductor with a ball at his feet.
But what he was best at—undeniably—was scoring goals. More specifically, scoring them from free-kicks. The highest-scoring midfielder in soccer history, Zico netted an astonishing 507 goals during a career spent largely with his beloved Flamengo. Of those,101 came directly from free-kicks—which is again a world record.
There’s a reason they called him the “White Pelé.” Speaking of…
3. Pelé
Pelé claimed to have scored 1,283 goals during his career for club and country—a figure that, if accurate, would make him the greatest goalscorer in soccer history.
Whether or not that number is entirely accurate remains a topic of debate. But two things are undeniable. First, Pelé scored an extraordinary number of goals—757, according to official records. Second, and more importantly, Pelé is unquestionably one of the greatest players the sport has ever seen—and definitely its most iconic.
The first true global superstar of soccer, Pelé put Brazil on the map—not just in sporting terms, but culturally and geographically. He was the face of a golden-era Santos side that toured the world and thrilled millions in the 1950s and ’60s, and the undisputed talisman of a Brazil national team that dominated world football like no other, lifting three FIFA World Cups in 1958, 1962, and 1970.
To this day, Pelé remains the only player in history to win three World Cups—an achievement that sees him stand alone in the annals of the beautiful game.
2. Ronaldinho
Brazil is the nation that made soccer beautiful, blending samba rhythms with dazzling footwork, flair, and pure joy.
And Ronaldinho was the living embodiment of that spirit.
Whether he was rainbow-flicking the ball over an opponent's head, skipping past defenders with his trademark flip-flap, or inexplicably bending the ball into the net with the outside of his foot, Ronaldinho was a magician. He made the impossible look effortless—and made the game a joy to watch for those lucky enough to see him in his prime.
Always playing with a smile, 'Dinho—a World Cup winner in 2002 and Ballon d'Or recipient in 2005—was the kind of player the modern game sorely misses. In an era where tactical rigidity often reigns, his creativity and spontaneity feel like a lost art.
Oh, what we’d give to see him dance on a pitch once more…
1. Ronaldo
Before Cristiano Ronaldo lit up the global stage, another Ronaldo had already taken the soccer world by storm—Ronaldo Nazário, or as he's famously known, R9.
Arguably the most fearsome striker the game has ever seen, the original Ronaldo was a goal machine who, at his peak, was simply unplayable. He could outpace, outmuscle, out-dribble, and outthink any defender who dared to stand in his way.
Nicknamed , Ronaldo scored 352 club goals during spells in the Netherlands, Spain, and Italy. For Brazil, he netted 62 goals, including 15 at World Cups—two of which came in the 2002 final, when he led the Seleção to a 2–0 win over Germany and lifted the trophy in legendary fashion.
Though recurring knee injuries cut his prime years short, Ronaldo’s brilliance left an indelible mark on soccer—and cemented his place as one of the greatest to ever play the game.
