Greatest Brazilian Football Players of All Time
Choosing the greatest Brazilian football players of all time isn’t an easy task, as the history of world football is full of great names from the South American country. It‘s also a fact that the world appreciates the Brazilian playing style, which is now a trademark in many championships around the globe.
So, who are the greatest Brazilian football players of all time? Keep reading to find out!
1. Pelé
In the first place, there couldn’t be any other name than Edson Arantes Nascimento, Pelé, the King of Football, being considered as the greatest football player of all time.
During his brilliant career Pelé won lots of titles and broke records that will certainly be maintained for many years.
Pelé started his brilliant career as a boy playing for Santos FC, and it didn’t take long for the striker to start attracting the world with his uncommon skills.
Currently, the striker is the only player in history to have won three World Cups (1958, 1962 and 1970). Pelé is also the top scorer in the history of the powerful Brazilian national team, in addition to having been declared the greatest player of the century, and of course we cannot fail to mention the more than a thousand goals scored by him.
Pelé won lots of trophies, including the FIFA Club World Cup, the Copa Libertadores, the Brazilian Championship, the Campeonato Paulista, among other countless achievements.
2. Garrincha
Next comes Manoel Francisco dos Santos, Mané Garrincha, who was also known as the Angel with Bent Legs.
Garrincha began his professional football career in Botafogo, a team that eventually introduced the world to the athlete who would years later become one of the most important players in the history of Brazilian football. During his career, he played for clubs such as Corinthians, Portuguesa (RJ), Fortaleza, Junior Barranquilla, Flamengo, Nova Friburgo, and Rio Grandense.
Garrincha, also known as the Joy of the People, won important titles during his career, such as two World Cups (1958 and 1962), and was chosen as the best player of the World Cup 1962 that took place in Chile. In addition, the player who is still remembered today for his dazzling dribbling skills won the Carioca Championship, the Rio-São Paulo Tournament, among many other achievements.
3. Ronaldo
Next is Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima, or simply Ronaldo. The talented striker who needs no introduction began his professional career playing for Cruzeiro at just 16 years old. And don’t be fooled by his age, because even with little experience in professional football, Ronaldo amazed football fans, making his time at the club short-lived. He then went on to play for other clubs such as PSV Eindhoven, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, AC Milan, and Corinthians.
An interesting fact is that recently, in 2021, Ronaldo bought Cruzeiro, making it clear that even with the passage of time, his love for the club continues.
Ronaldo won titles during his career, such as the FIFA World Cup (1994 and 2022), La Liga, the Spanish Super Cup, the Copa América, the FIFA Confederations Cup, the Copa do Brasil, the Campeonato Mineiro, the Campeonato Paulista, and some other major titles.
4. Zico
Next comes Arthur Antunes Coimbra, Zico, one of the most iconic football players in Brazilian football history.
The former midfielder began his career playing for Flamengo. Most of his career, Zico spent in the Rio de Janeiro club, which is why he is still loved by the fans. After that, Zico played for clubs such as Udinese, then came back to Flamengo, and at the end of his career, he played in Kashima Antlers.
During his career, Zico won important trophies, including the Copa Libertadores, the Intercontinental Cup, the Brazilian Championship, the Carioca Championship, and other achievements.
5. Ronaldinho Gaúcho
And last but not least, comes Ronaldo Assis de Moreira, known worldwide as Ronaldinho Gaúcho or even as the wizard.
Ronaldinho started his professional career playing for Grêmio, then played for teams like Paris Saint Germain, Barcelona, Milan, Flamengo, Atlético Mineiro, Querétaro and Fluminense.
One of the most popular Brazilian football players on TikTok, the Brazilian who will always be remembered by everyone for his dribbles, goals and his intimacy with the ball won several important titles during his career. Among Ronaldinho Gaúcho’s achievements, we can mention some such as the World Cup (2002), the Confederations Cup, the Champions League, La Liga, the Spanish Super Cup, the Italian Championship, the Gaúcho Championship, the Carioca Championship, among many other important titles.
