Jogo Bonito: The best Brazilian football players of all time

Brazil is one of the greatest football countries in the world, producing world-class players generation after generation. Here are the best Brazilians ever to have played 'jogo bonito' ('the beautiful game').

Regarded by many as the best players in history, Pelé is the undisputed king of Brazilian football. He guided his country to three FIFA World Cup wins (1958, 1962 and 1970), and established himself as the greatest player in the history of Santos FC.

Nicknamed O fenômeno, Ronaldo is one of the all-time football greats. Excelling at Internazionale and Real Madrid, the fearsome striker was instrumental at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, scoring no less than eight goals.

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Ronaldinho is a Brazil and FC Barcelona legend, exuding his love for the game whenever he stepped on a football pitch. The 2005 Ballon d'Or winner is regarded one of the most technical gifted players ever, just one of the many reasons that earns him a spot in this list.

Another FC Barcelona icon. Rivaldo had a fearsome left foot combined with technical skills like no other player, allowing him to excel at the 2002 FIFA World Cup and win the 1999 Ballon d'Or.

One of the best Brazilian forwards in history, Romário was successful at PSV Eindhoven and FC Barcelona, amongst other clubs, scoring 128 goals for the Dutch side and crowning himself 1994 world champion.

Neymar Jr is a one of a kind player. The former Santos FC forward excelled at FC Barcelona, where he forced an astronomical move to French giant Paris Saint-Germain. With 124 caps and 77 goals for Brazil, Neymar has been and is still a key figure for his country.

A stylish attacking midfielder, Zico is one of the greatest players to never have won the World Cup. At club level, he engraved his name in the history books of Flamengo, winning four league titles and the 1981 Copa Libertadores with the club.

A classy midfielder and doctor, Socrates represented Brazil at the 1982 and 1986 FIFA World Cup. He was a smart and elegant player, excelling at Corinthians and Botafogo.

A star of the 1970 FIFA World Cup, Jairzinho was one of the most skilled Brazilian football players ever. A legend of Botafogo, the winger also played for Olympique Marseille and Cruzeiro, amongst other clubs.

Kaká was an elegant attacking midfielder, who was at his best at AC Milan. With the Rossoneri, he won one league title and the 2007 Champions League, earning himself the Ballon d'Or that same year.

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A winger with exceptional dribbling skills, Garrincha excelled in the national team and at Botafogo alike. 'Little bird' also had a darker side, however, marked by alcohol abuse and countless affairs.

With 64 caps (30 goals), Careca had a highly successful Brazil career, representing his country at the 1986 and 1990 FIFA World Cups. Careca enjoyed domestic success, before he would go on to help Napoli win the Italian league title and the UEFA Cup.

A key figure of Brazil's 1970 World Cup winning team, Rivellino was a complete player with an ample skill-set. The left-footed attacking midfielder collected 96 caps for his country, scoring 26 goals.

A 1982 world champion, Falcão enjoyed a successful career at Internacional and AS Roma, winning the league title with both clubs. The defensive midfielder is regarded one of the greats of Brazilian football, representing his country on 34 occasions (6 goals).

Considered one of the best full-backs in football history, Carlos Alberto was the captain of Brazil's 1970 World Cup winning team. He played more than 400 games for Santos FC, where he is regarded a club legend.

Just like Carlos Alberto, Roberto Carlos is one of the greatest full-backs in Brazilian football history. The for Real Madrid man was known for his dangerous left-foot, scoring some incredible goals from set-pieces.

Another full-back with a legendary status, Cafú is a two-time World Cup winner (1994 and 2002) and earned 143 caps for Brazil.

Brazil's 1970 World Cup winning team boasted some incredible players, and Gérson was asurely one of them. The man with the magical left foot was known as a passing expert, showcasing his skills at Flamengo and Botafogo on many occasions.

The only goalkeeper in this list, Claudio Taffarel guided his country to World Cup glory in 1994 and the 1998 final. At club level, he shone at AC Parma and Galatasaray.

Marcelo is a Real Madrid legend, who helped Los Merengues win five Champions Leagues and six league titles. For his country, the technically gifted defender played 58 games, scoring 6 goals and winning one Confederations Cup.

Another one of Brazil's 1970 World Cup heroes, Tostão engraved his name in Brazilian football history. The forward or attacking midfielder spent the biggest part of his career at Cruzeiro, scoring 249 goals for the Brazilian club.

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Excelling next to Pelé at the 1958 and 1962 FIFA World Cups, Didi is regarded one of the footballing greats in Brazil. The midfielder had great technical skills, which earned him a transfer to Real Madrid in 1959, where he played alongside Alfredo Di Stefano and other Los Merengues legends.