Please also see my All-Time World Cup Team Index.
Brazil is the best footballing nation in the world. They won 5 World Cup titles in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002. In addition, they have great teams at the World Cup in 1950, 1982 and 1998. They never failed to appear in a World Cup Finals.
Brazilians also produced a large numbers of footballers throughout history. It is probably true that most leagues around the world must have a single Brazilian footballers. Their talent levels are very high. This is my ranking of the Top 50 players from Brazil and followed by two lists of the next 300 greatest Brazilian players.. I actually do not believe in ranking of individual players. I tried many times to do a ranking on various topics, but I changed my mind each time I edited the list. The topic is subjective. I can never ever create a conclusive ranking. Thus, I am only ranking the top 50 players for the sake of ranking. This list does not really mean or reflect much. Then, I divided the rest of the 300 players into two different tiers or clusters. Even that is very hard to do an incontestable list. For example, Zito (43rd) can easily make it to the top 25 or even fall out of the top 50. Brazil or most nationals can produce so many footballers with similar preeminence that the task of a ranking is impossible.
50th: Claudio Taffarel
Claudio Taffarel earned over 100 caps. He was the starting goalkeeper for the World Cup 1994 winning team. He also appeared in other eight major international tournaments. During an 18-year career, he played professionally for six clubs, including Parma, Internacional, Atlético Mineiro and Galatasaray. He won an UEFA Cup with Galatasaray in 1999.
Claudio Taffarel earned over 100 caps. He was the starting goalkeeper for the World Cup 1994 winning team. He also appeared in other eight major international tournaments. During an 18-year career, he played professionally for six clubs, including Parma, Internacional, Atlético Mineiro and Galatasaray. He won an UEFA Cup with Galatasaray in 1999.
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| Claudio Taffarel |
49th: Dirceu
Dirceu were on three World Cup teams: 1974, 1978 and 1982. His best tournament was in 1978, where he made the All-tournament team and awarded the Bronze Ball. For his club career, he played for various clubs in Brazil and Mexico before joining Atletico Madrid in 1979. From 1982 to 1987, he played for 5 different Italian clubs.
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| Dirceu |
48th: Dani Alves
Dani Alves spent 6 years with Sevilla, winning two UEFA Cup's before joining Barcelona. He only played 109 times for Brazil at the time of writing, largely because Maicon was the regular starter during his early career. In 2016, he joined Juventus, where he played a single season. He appeared in his fourth Champions League final as Juventus were defeated 4–1 by Real Madrid. In 2017, he joined PSG.
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| Dani Alves |
Regarded as one of the best full-backs of his generation, Jorginho started playing professionally for local side América Football Club, moving after just one season to Clube de Regatas do Flamengo. In 1989, he joined Bayer 04 Leverkusen. He signed with league giants FC Bayern Munich in 1992–93. Capped 64 times for the Brazilian national team, scoring three goals. He played at both the 1990 and the 1994 FIFA World Cups. In the latter edition, he was named in the All-Star squad.
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| Jorginho |
Mauro Ramos was considered one of Brazil's greatest centerbacks. He went to both 1954 and 1958 World Cup Finals without playing a game, but in the World Cup Finals of 1962, he lifted the World Cup trophy as Brazil's captain. He was capped 22 times between 1948 and 1965. For his club career, he played for Santos and Sao Paulo as well as Toluca in Mexico. At Santos, he was a part of Pele's great Santos team in the 1960's.
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| Mauro Ramos |
45th: Bellini
Bellini was Brazil's captain for the World Cup Finals in 1958. He was credited for starting the tradition of lifting the trophy high in the air, making the gesture winning symbol. He won another World Cup in 1962 and participated also at 1966 FIFA World Cup as the team captain again. He had 51 caps between 1957 and 1966. During his career he played for Vasco da Gama, São Paulo FC and Atlético Paranaense.
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| Bellini |
Leandro was one of the best rightbacks in the 1980's. He earned 31 caps for Brazil. He was a part of the great 1982 World Cup team in Spain. He refused to attend the World Cup in 1986 in support of his teammate Renato. He spent his entire career playing for Flamengo. Along with Zico and Junior, he helped them to win the Copa Libertadores and Intercontinental Cup in 1981. The team was considered one of the greatest Brazilian club side ever assembled.
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| Leanadro |
43th: Zito
With Brazil, Zito earned 52 caps between 1955 and 1964. He won the World Cup in 1958, and 1962. For his club career, he played his entire career with Santos. He was the captain of the "Os Santásticos" team of the late 1950s and 1960s, playing alongside Pelé, Pepe and other Brazilian stars. He was known as a leader that a young Pele respected throughout his career. He was his mentor. Zito was nicknamed Gerente (manager in Portuguese) by the media during his playing days, due to helping the manager Lula while outfields
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| Zito |
42nd: Gilmar
Gilmar was the goalkeeper for World Cup 1958, 1962 and 1966 winning two titles. He had 104 caps. Also a member of Pele's Santos team of the 1960's. With Gilmar between the posts, Santos conquered almost every championship they competed in: they won five São Paulo State Championships (1962, 1964, 1965, 1967, 1968), five National Championships (1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965), two Libertadores Cups (1962 and 1963) and two Intercontinental Cups.
Gilmar was the goalkeeper for World Cup 1958, 1962 and 1966 winning two titles. He had 104 caps. Also a member of Pele's Santos team of the 1960's. With Gilmar between the posts, Santos conquered almost every championship they competed in: they won five São Paulo State Championships (1962, 1964, 1965, 1967, 1968), five National Championships (1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965), two Libertadores Cups (1962 and 1963) and two Intercontinental Cups.
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| Gilmar |
41st: Bebeto
With 39 goals in 75 appearances for Brazil, Bebeto is the sixth highest goalscorer for his national team. At the 1994 World Cup, he formed a formidable strike partnership with Romário to lead Brazil to their fourth World Cup title. His best club career was with Deportivo La Coruna, where won the Pichichi Trophy in 1993. He also played for Flamengo, Vasco da Gama, Cruzeiro, Botafogo, Sevilla, Toros Neza, Kashima Antlers, and Al Ittihad.
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| Bebetp |
40th: Careca
Careca had 64 caps for Brazil. He supposed to be the starting striker of the star-studded 1982 World Cup team, but he missed the Finals with an injury. Instead, he starred at the 1986 World Cup Finals in Mexico. He finished second in scoring with 5 goals. He also played in the 1990 World Cup Finals in Italy. For club career, he was remembered for playing with Napoli as a teammate of Diego Maradona. He also played for São Paulo and Guarani as well as in the J-League. |
| Careca |
39th Pepe
Pepe was considered the second best striker ever played for Santos after Pele. His nickname was "Canhão da Vila" (The Vila Cannon), because of his potent kick with his left leg and the fact that Santos plays in the Estádio Urbano Caldera, nicknamed Vila Belmiro. He was a one club man with Santos where he played with Pele. He went to both World Cup Finals in 1958 and 1962, but did not play a single game.
Pepe was considered the second best striker ever played for Santos after Pele. His nickname was "Canhão da Vila" (The Vila Cannon), because of his potent kick with his left leg and the fact that Santos plays in the Estádio Urbano Caldera, nicknamed Vila Belmiro. He was a one club man with Santos where he played with Pele. He went to both World Cup Finals in 1958 and 1962, but did not play a single game.
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| Pepe |
38th: Ademir da Guia
Ademir is the son of Domingo Da Guia. He started with Bangu, but moved to Palmeiras in 1962, where he was nicknamed "O Divino" (The Divine One) by his supporters. He holds the record for the most appearances for the club and is the third best goalscorer ever, and was considered their greatest player. He retired in 1977 from professional football. For the national team, he only managed 9 appearance. He went to the World Cup Finals in 1974, but he played behind Rivelino.
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| Ademir da Guia |
37th: Luis Pereira
Luis Pereira was widely considered to be the best central back in the Seleção's history. He was capped over 30 times, but only the 1974 World Cup Finals held in West Germany and remembered receiving a red card against Holland. He played 562 games with S.E. Palmeiras (34 goals) and 171 games with Atlético Madrid (17 goals). With Atletico Madrid, he was considered one of the best defender playing in Europe. He won La Liga in 1977.
Luis Pereira was widely considered to be the best central back in the Seleção's history. He was capped over 30 times, but only the 1974 World Cup Finals held in West Germany and remembered receiving a red card against Holland. He played 562 games with S.E. Palmeiras (34 goals) and 171 games with Atlético Madrid (17 goals). With Atletico Madrid, he was considered one of the best defender playing in Europe. He won La Liga in 1977.
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| Luis Pereira |
36th: Thiago Silva
Thiago Silva became the most expensive defender in history when he moved from Milan to Paris St. Germain. In Brazil, he played for Juventude and Fluminense, helping Fluminense to the Final of Copa Libertadores in 2008. For the national team, he was the captain of Brazil ill-fated team in World Cup 2014, but did not play against Germany in the semifinal. He was an unused sub at the WC Finals in 2010.
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| Thiago Silva |
35th: Lucio
Lucio was the star of the 2002 World Cup winning team. He earned 105 caps for Brazil between 2000 to 2011. He reached the UEFA Champions' League final with Bayer Leverkusen in 2002, but losing to Real Madrid. In 2004, he moved to Bayern Munich, where he won one German Cup and three Bundesliga titles. He also helped Inter Milan to win the 2010 Champions League playing against his former club Bayern Munich in the Final.
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| Lucio |
Dunga's bluecollar and defensive style of football symbolized a new era in Brazil's football. This period in Brazil's football history was called "Era Dunga", as according to fans and journalists. He played 91 times for Brazil. He was the captain of Brazil's World Cup winning team in 1994. He also went to Italia 1990 and France 1998. For domestic football, he played in Brazil, Japan, Italy and Germany in his career.
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| Dunga |
33th: Junior
Junior was one of the greatest leftback in Brazil's history. He was the leftback for Brazil in 1982. He was also a part of the great Flamengo team of the 1980's winning the 1981 Copa Libertadores and 1981 Intercontinental Cup. With 857 matches, he is the player with most appearances for Flamengo. In 1984, he joined Torino in Italy. He played 70 times for Brazil. He went to the World Cup Finals in 1982 and 1986.
30th: Tostao
Tostao was the starting forward of Brazil's 1970 WC Team. He was a false nine, providing assists for the rest of the team. He nearly missed the World Cup Finals due to an eye injury. He also went to England 1966. He was South American Player of the Year in 1973. He played 11 years with Cruzeiro. In 1972, he signed for CR Vasco da Gama for a then record fee in the country He is also a medical doctor.
Junior was one of the greatest leftback in Brazil's history. He was the leftback for Brazil in 1982. He was also a part of the great Flamengo team of the 1980's winning the 1981 Copa Libertadores and 1981 Intercontinental Cup. With 857 matches, he is the player with most appearances for Flamengo. In 1984, he joined Torino in Italy. He played 70 times for Brazil. He went to the World Cup Finals in 1982 and 1986.
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| Junior |
32nd: Canhoteiro
His name literally mean "the left-footed". He also earned the nickname "the Garrincha of the Left". He was known for hos dribbling skills. For his club career, he played with Sao Paulo and was remembered for his battles with Pele's Santos in the 1960's. He was not selected for the World Cup Finals in 1958, despite being the original starter of the team.
His name literally mean "the left-footed". He also earned the nickname "the Garrincha of the Left". He was known for hos dribbling skills. For his club career, he played with Sao Paulo and was remembered for his battles with Pele's Santos in the 1960's. He was not selected for the World Cup Finals in 1958, despite being the original starter of the team.
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| Canhoteiro |
31st Toninho Cerezo
Throughout his career, Toninho Cerezo played with Atlético Mineiro, Roma, Sampdoria and São Paulo. He was a legend at Atlético Mineiro. With São Paulo FC, he was the two-times winner of the Intercontinental Cup and Copa Libertadores. During his time in Italy, Cerezo won the Coppa Italia four times; in 1991 he won the Serie A with Sampdoria. For Brazil, he went to 1978 and 1982 World Cup Finals, in Argentina and Spain respectively.
Throughout his career, Toninho Cerezo played with Atlético Mineiro, Roma, Sampdoria and São Paulo. He was a legend at Atlético Mineiro. With São Paulo FC, he was the two-times winner of the Intercontinental Cup and Copa Libertadores. During his time in Italy, Cerezo won the Coppa Italia four times; in 1991 he won the Serie A with Sampdoria. For Brazil, he went to 1978 and 1982 World Cup Finals, in Argentina and Spain respectively.
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| Toninho Cerezo |
Tostao was the starting forward of Brazil's 1970 WC Team. He was a false nine, providing assists for the rest of the team. He nearly missed the World Cup Finals due to an eye injury. He also went to England 1966. He was South American Player of the Year in 1973. He played 11 years with Cruzeiro. In 1972, he signed for CR Vasco da Gama for a then record fee in the country He is also a medical doctor.
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| Tostao |
29th: Danilo Alvim
Danilo Alvim is considered one of the greatest defensive midfielder in Brazil's history. He played 25 games for Brazil between 1946 and 1953, winning the 1949 Copa América. He played on the ill-fated 1950 team alongside Zizinho. For his club career, he was a part of Vasco da Gama's legendary "the Victory Express" team, winning the South American club championship in 1948. He also played for America and Botafago.
Danilo Alvim is considered one of the greatest defensive midfielder in Brazil's history. He played 25 games for Brazil between 1946 and 1953, winning the 1949 Copa América. He played on the ill-fated 1950 team alongside Zizinho. For his club career, he was a part of Vasco da Gama's legendary "the Victory Express" team, winning the South American club championship in 1948. He also played for America and Botafago.
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| Danilo Alvim |
28th: Jose Altafini/Mazzola
In Brazil, he was known as Mazzola because of his resemblance with Italian attacking midfielder Valentino Mazzola. He started to use his real name Jose Altafini after he joined AC Milan in 1958. He is the current 4th top-scorer in Italy's Serie A history.For the national team, he was the original starter on the 1958 World Cup team, but was replaced in the semifinal and the final.
In Brazil, he was known as Mazzola because of his resemblance with Italian attacking midfielder Valentino Mazzola. He started to use his real name Jose Altafini after he joined AC Milan in 1958. He is the current 4th top-scorer in Italy's Serie A history.For the national team, he was the original starter on the 1958 World Cup team, but was replaced in the semifinal and the final.
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| Mazzola |
27nd: Ademir de Menezes
Ademir formed a great attacking trio with Zizinho and Jair at the ill-fated World Cup Finals in 1950. That line is considered the greatest ever seen in a World Cup Finals. He won the Golden Boot at the tournament, but unable to win the World Cup at home. He also won the Copa America in 1949. For club football, he had two spells each with Sport Recife and Vasco da Gama. He also had one spell with Fluminense.
Ademir formed a great attacking trio with Zizinho and Jair at the ill-fated World Cup Finals in 1950. That line is considered the greatest ever seen in a World Cup Finals. He won the Golden Boot at the tournament, but unable to win the World Cup at home. He also won the Copa America in 1949. For club football, he had two spells each with Sport Recife and Vasco da Gama. He also had one spell with Fluminense.
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| Ademir |
26th: Jair de Rosa Pinto
Jair was a member of the great offensive trio for Brazil at the ill-fated World Cup Finals in 1950, hosted by Brazil. The other two were Zizinho and Ademir. He played for Flamengo and Vasco da Gama before the World Cup in 1950. After the World Cup Finals, he played mainly for clubs in Sao Paulo. For the national team, he only made two cameo appearances two years after the ill-fated World Cup Finals.
Jair was a member of the great offensive trio for Brazil at the ill-fated World Cup Finals in 1950, hosted by Brazil. The other two were Zizinho and Ademir. He played for Flamengo and Vasco da Gama before the World Cup in 1950. After the World Cup Finals, he played mainly for clubs in Sao Paulo. For the national team, he only made two cameo appearances two years after the ill-fated World Cup Finals.
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| Jair de Rosa Pinto |
Click here for the Top 25
Even in this list from place 26-50 there a lot of world class players. The one I am missing here ist Zé Roberto (6.7.1974). 84 caps, world cup 1998 and 2006. Very versatile midfielder who spent a part of his career in Germany with Bayern Munich an Hamburg. I would rank him above Dirceu oder Ademir da Guia.
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