Brazil: 5 Greatest Brazilian Football Players in History

It's no secret that football holds immense popularity in Brazil, with FIFA World Cup matches involving the national squad often treated as an unofficial holiday in the country.

Brazil has been a breeding ground for numerous exceptionally talented players who have etched their names among the greatest in the sport's history.

Here are the 5 greatest players to wear the iconic yellow-and-green Selecao shirt.

5. Neymar Jr.

Neymar is his generation's undisputed best Brazilian player and the only active player on this list.

Although he hasn't led the national team to World Cup triumph, the Al-Hilal star played a pivotal role in securing the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup and the gold medal in the 2016 Summer Olympics, hosted on home turf in Rio De Janeiro.

This year, the flamboyant forward became the Selecao's all-time top scorer with 79 goals in 128 appearances, surpassing the legendary Pele.

4. Zico

Zico was arguably the best player in the world during the late 1970s to the early 1980s. A key member of the legendary 1982 World Cup team, often hailed as one of Brazil's greatest squads despite not clinching the title, Zico earned the moniker "White Pelé."

Playing as an attacking midfielder, he is renowned for his creative playmaking abilities, exceptional technical skills, and a sharp eye for goal.

Zico is considered the greatest Brazilian player never to win a World Cup. With 48 goals in 71 appearances, he is the fifth-highest goalscorer in the history of the Selecao.

3. Garrincha

Regarded by some as the greatest dribbler of all time, Garrincha was a crucial player in Brazil's triumphs in the 1958 and 1962 World Cups.

In 1962, when Pelé suffered an injury, Garrincha stepped up to help Brazil retain the World Cup, delivering a dominant performance throughout the tournament. The right winger won the tournament's Golden Ball (best player) and Golden Boot (top scorer).

Brazil never lost a match where they fielded Pele and Garrincha together.

2. Ronaldo

Ronaldo emerged as one of the biggest stars in football during the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Following a strong performance in the 1998 World Cup, where he led Brazil to the final and won the Golden Ball, he unfortunately experienced a seizure just hours before the championship match.

Despite still playing in the final, it was evident that he was not in his usual form, and Brazil suffered a 3-0 defeat to France.

However, Ronaldo orchestrated a remarkable comeback for himself and the Selecao, securing the 2002 World Cup and scoring twice in the final as Brazil emerged victorious against Germany.

The striker is the third-highest top scorer for the Brazil national team, with 62 goals in 98 appearances, behind Neymar and Pele.

1. Pele

The legendary Pele is considered the greatest Brazilian player of all time and, for some, the greatest in all of football, regardless of nationality. His electrifying style of play and his knack for scoring spectacular goals propelled him to global stardom.

Pele played a major role in three of Brazil's five World Cup victories in 1958, 1962, and 1970. His contributions on the field solidified him as one of the most successful and beloved sports figures of the 20th century.

The charismatic forward held the record as the national team's top goalscorer for over fifty years, tallying 77 goals in 92 appearances.