Famous Soccer Players from Brazil

With the most World Cup triumphs, Brazil is one of the most successful soccer playing nations in the world. Obviously, it has a history of many greats who mesmerized fans all over with their amazing skills. Let’s have a look at the most famous Brazilian soccer players of all time.

Brazil is the only country to have played in each and every edition of the FIFA World Cup.

Soccer is most popular game in the world. But, it is next to impossible to talk about this game without the mention of Brazil (Brasil). Brazilians eat, breathe, and live soccer. They are the only country to have won the FIFA World Cup in 4 different continents. The popularity of the game here can be judged from the fact that, Brazil have given the world so many great players over the decades, who are idols to millions of fans the world over. The game in this country is governed by the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF).

Brazil has churned out world-class players year after year for decades. Their flamboyant style of play makes them a treat to watch. Without further delay, let’s check out who have been the most famous soccer players from Brazil over the years.

Pelé: The Best Ever

Before we move on to other famous soccer plays from Brazil, Pelé needs a special mention. He is considered by most experts, critics, players, and fans to be the best football player the world has ever seen. Pelé, or Edson Arantes do Nascimento, was born in 1940, and began to play serious soccer at the age of 15. In no time, he found himself making it into the national team at the young age of 16. He made his first World Cup appearance at 17, and made his country proud by winning the World Cup. He played as an inside forward, striker, and also as a playmaker. Pele had his own unique technique and natural athleticism, that was universally praised by one and all. He was famous for his excellent dribbling and passing, his pace, powerful shots, and not to forget prolific goal scoring capabilities. He has been the all time leading scorer for the national team of Brazil, and is also the only football player who has been a part of three World Cup winning squads. He holds the Guinness World Record for the most career goals in football―1,281 in 1,363 games (including friendlies and tour games).

Pelé

Born: October 21, 1940
Position: Attacking Midfielder, Forward

Clubs

•  Santos (1956 – 1974)

• New York Cosmos (1975 – 1977)

National Team

• Brazil (1957 – 1971)

Ronaldo

Born: September 18, 1976
Position: Striker

Clubs

• Cruzeiro (1993 – 1994)

• PSV (1994 – 1996)

• Barcelona (1996 – 1997)

• Inter Milan (1997 – 2002)

• Real Madrid (2002 – 2007)

• AC Milan (2007 – 2008)

• Corinthians (2009 – 2011)

National Team

• U17 (1993)

• U23 (1996)

• Brazil (1994 – 2011)

Ronaldinho

Born: March 21, 1980
Position: Attacking Midfielder, Forward

Clubs

• Grêmio (1998 – 2001)

• Paris Saint-Germain (2001 – 2003)

• Barcelona (2003 – 2008)

• Milan (2008 – 2010)

• Flamengo (2010 – 2012)

• Atlético Mineiro (2012 – present)

National Team

• U17 (1996)

• U20 (1999)

• U23 (1999 – 2005)

• Brazil (1999 – present)

Roberto Carlos

Born: April 10, 1973
Position: Left Back

Clubs

• União São João (1991 – 1993)

• Palmeiras (1993 – 1995)

• Internazionale (1995 – 1996)

• Real Madrid (1996 – 2007)

• Fenerbahçe (2007 – 2009)

• Corinthians (2010 – 2011)

• Anzhi Makhachkala (2011 – 2012)

National Team

• Brazil (1992 – 2006)

Romário

Born: January 29, 1966
Position: Striker

Clubs

• Vasco da Gama (1985 – 1988)

• PSV (1988 – 1993)

• Barcelona (1993 – 1995)

• Flamengo (1995 – 1996)

• Valencia (1996 – 1998)

• Flamengo (1997 – 1999)

• Vasco da Gama (2000 – 2002)

• Fluminense (2002 – 2004)

• Al-Sadd (2003)

• Vasco da Gama (2005 – 2006)

• Miami (2006)

• Adelaide United (2006)

• Vasco da Gama (2007)

• America-RJ (2009)

National Team

• Brazil (1987 – 2005)

Zico

Born: March 3, 1953
Position: Attacking Midfielder

Clubs

• Flamengo (1971 – 1983)

• Udinese (1983 – 1985)

• Flamengo (1985 – 1989)

• Kashima Antlers (1991 – 1994)

National Team

• Brazil (1976 – 1986)

Kaká

Born: April 22, 1982
Position: Attacking Midfielder

Clubs

• São Paulo (2001 – 2003)

• Milan (2003 – 2009)

• Real Madrid (2009 – 2013)

• Milan (2013 – present)

National Team

• U20 (2001)

• Brazil (2002 – present)

Cafu

Born: June 7, 1970
Position: Right Back

Clubs

• São Paulo (1990 – 1994)

• Real Zaragoza (1994 – 1995)

• Juventude (1995)

• Palmeiras (1996 – 1997)

• Roma (1997 – 2003)

• Milan (2003 – 2008)

National Team

• Brazil (1990 – 2006)

Falcão

Born: October 16, 1953
Position: Central Midfielder

Clubs

• Internacional (1972 – 1980)

• Roma (1980 – 1985)

• São Paulo (1985 – 1986)

National Team

• Brazil (1976 – 1986)

Sócrates

Born: February 19, 1954
Position: Attacking Midfielder

Clubs

• Botafogo-SP (1974 – 1978)

• Corinthians (1978 – 1984)

• Fiorentina (1984 – 1985)

• Flamengo (1986 – 1987)

• Santos (1988 – 1989)

• Botafogo-SP (1989)

• Garforth Town (2004)

National Team

• Brazil (1979 – 1986)

Júnior

Born: June 29, 1954
Position: Left Back, Midfielder

Clubs

• Flamengo (1974 – 1984)

• Torino (1984 – 1987)

• Pescara (1987 – 1989)

• Flamengo (1989 – 1993)

National Team

• Brazil (1979 – 1992)

Roberto Rivellino

Born: January 1, 1946
Position: Attacking Midfielder

Clubs

• Corinthians (1965 – 1973)

• Fluminense (1973 – 1978)

• Al-Hilal (1979 – 1981)

National Team

• Brazil (1965 – 1978)

Nilton Santos

Lived: May 16, 1925 – November 27, 2013
Position: Left Back

Clubs

• Botafogo (1948 – 1964)

National Team

• Brazil (1949 – 1962)

Garrincha

Lived: October 28, 1933 – January 20, 1983
Position: Winger

Clubs

• Botafogo (1953 – 1965)

• Corinthians (1966)

• Portuguesa Carioca (1967)

• Atlético Junior (1968)

• Flamengo (1968 – 1969)

• Olaria (1972)

National Team

• Brazil (1955 – 1966)

Gérson

Born: January 11, 1941
Position: Midfielder

Clubs

• Flamengo (1959 – 1963)

• Botafogo (1963 – 1969)

• São Paulo (1969 – 1972)

• Fluminense (1972 – 1974)

National Team

• Brazil (1961 – 1972)

Rivaldo

Born: April 19, 1972
Position: Attacking Midfielder

Clubs

• Santa Cruz (1991 – 1992)

• Mogi Mirim (1992 – 1994)

• Corinthians (1993 – 1994)

• Palmeiras (1994 – 1996)

• Deportivo La Coruña (1996 – 1997)

• Barcelona (1997 – 2002)

• Milan (2002 – 2004)

• Cruzeiro (2004)

• Olympiacos (2004 – 2007)

• AEK Athens (2007 – 2008)

• Bunyodkor (2008 – 2010)

• Mogi Mirim (2010 – 2011)

• São Paulo (2011)

• Kabuscorp (2012)

• São Caetano (2013)

• Mogi Mirim (2014)

National Team

• U20 (1992 – 1993)

• U23 (1996)

• Brazil (1993 – 2003)

Careca

Born: October 5, 1960
Position: Striker

Clubs

• Guarani (1976 – 1982)

• São Paulo (1983 – 1987)

• Napoli (1987 – 1993)

• Kashiwa Reysol (1993 – 1996)

• Santos (1997)

• Campinas (1998)

• São José (1999)

National Team

• Brazil (1982 – 1993)

Carlos Alberto Torres

Born: July 17, 1944
Position: Right Back

Clubs

• Fluminense (1963 – 1966)

• Santos (1966 – 1974)

• Fluminense (1974 – 1977)

• Flamengo (1977)

• New York Cosmos (1977 – 1980)

• California Surf (1981)

• New York Cosmos (1982)

National Team

• Brazil (1964 – 1977)

Jairzinho

Born: December 25, 1944
Position: Winger

Clubs

• Botafogo (1959 – 1974)

• Olympique de Marseille (1974 – 1975)

• Kaizer Chiefs (1975)

• Cruzeiro (1976)

• Portuguesa (1977)

• Noroeste (1978 – 1979)

• Fast Club (1979)

• Jorge Wilstermann (1980 – 1981)

• Botafogo (1981 – 1982)

• 9 de Octubre (1982)

National Team

• Brazil (1964 – 1982)

Didi

Lived: October 8, 1928 – May 12, 2001
Position: Central Midfielder

Clubs

• Americano (1946)

• Lençoense (1946 – 1948)

• Madureira (1948 – 1949)

• Fluminense (1949 – 1956)

• Botafogo (1957 – 1959)

• Real Madrid (1959 – 1960)

• Botafogo (1960 – 1962)

• Sporting Cristal (1963)

• São Paulo (1964)

• Botafogo (1964 – 1965)

• CD Veracruz (1965 – 1966)

• São Paulo (1966)

National Team

• Brazil (1952 – 1962)

Tostão

Born: January 25, 1947
Position: Forward

Clubs

• América (1962 – 1963)

• Cruzeiro (1964 – 1971)

• Vasco da Gama (1972 – 1973)

National Team

• Brazil (1966 – 1972)

Leônidas da Silva

Lived: September 6, 1913 – January 24, 2004
Position: Center Forward

Clubs

• São Cristóvão (1929)

• Sírio e Libanês (1929 – 1930)

• Bonsucesso (1931 – 1932)

• Peñarol (1933)

• Vasco da Gama (1934)

• Botafogo (1935 – 1936)

• Flamengo (1936 – 1942)

• São Paulo (1943 – 1950)

National Team

• Brazil (1932 – 1946)

Heleno de Freitas

Lived: February 12, 1920 – November 8, 1959
Position: Striker

Clubs

• Botafogo (1939 – 1948)

• Boca Juniors (1948)

• Vasco (1949 – 1950)

• Atlético Junior (1950)

• América (1951)

National Team

• Brazil (1942 – 1950)

Neymar

Born: February 5, 1992
Position: Forward, Winger

Clubs

• Santos (2009 – 2013)

• Barcelona (2013 – present)

National Team

• U17 (2009)

• U20 (2011)

• U23 (2012)

• Brazil (2010 – present)

Other Greats

• Fio Maravilha

• Jonathas de Jesus

• Bebeto

• Júlio César da Silva

• Dino Sani

• Ederson Tormena

• Hermínio de Brito

• David Luiz

• Fernando Prass

• Marcelo Saragosa

• Gilberto Flores

• Gustavo Nery

• Jair da Rosa Pinto

• Zito

• Alexandre Gallo

• Cristian Chagas Tarouco

• Leônidas da Silva

• Luiz Adriano

• Ademir

• Edu Marangon

• Nininho

• Paulo Isidoro

• André Luiz Moreira

• Alex da Silva

• Álvaro Lopes Cançado

• Josimar

• Djalma Santos

• Eduardo Antunes Coimbra

• Marcelinho Paulista

• Mauro Ramos

• Abel Braga

• Ederson Alves Ribeiro Silva

• Jorge Luis da Silva Brum

• Leandro Teixeira Dantas

• Neto

• Ayres Cerqueira Simao

• Alexandre D’Acol Joaquim

• Oscar

• Muller Santos da Silva

• Gilmar

• Pamplona

• João dos Santos

These were all the famous soccer players from Brazil who have done their country proud, and at the same time garnered millions of fans all around the globe. Brazil has and will always be right up there as far as world soccer is concerned, so we can be sure that, as the years go by, there will be many more superstars that this soccer-crazy nation will give us.