Neither of them will play, when they probably face Norway in the round of 16 of the World Cup in a few days.
Brazil has just beaten a strong, but unattacking Japanese team. Brazil took home the victory at the very end of injury time with a goal by Arsenal star Gabriel Martinelli. “He’s good, but he’s no Ronaldinho. The first goal was by Manchester United star Casemiro, he is good at times, but he is no Garrincha.
What Brazil has now are cream puffs like Vinicius Junior and Neymar. – They fall short against Vikings who don’t even need water to row.
Although the Ivory Coast, which Norway meets tomorrow Tuesday, is a great team, they fall short. The Norwegian squad is simply too strong, if national team manager Ståle Solbakken does not choose to save players for later. Our opinion is that it might be a good idea to top the team!
Read on Sporten: Ivory Coast vs. Norway: Predicted lineups, stats and preview
Norway has won against Brazil before! – On June 23, 1998, Norway won 2 – 1 in a World Cup!
Although the Ivory Coast, which Norway meets tomorrow Tuesday, is a great team, they fall short. When we have won, we face Brazil who do not have any of the best Brazilian footballers of all time with them.
You can follow all the World Cup matches.
Brazil has won the World Cup five times. In the coming weeks, they will try to take their sixth title – with Norway as one of the challengers!
Brazil is not only the strongest nation in World Cup history, but also the country that has produced the most big names – many of them known around the world. Here is my list of the 30 best Brazilian players of all time.
The list is based on the players’ performances and level throughout their careers – not just World Cup efforts.
1. Pelé (1940)
Pelé was only 17 years old when he made his breakthrough at the 1958 World Championships. Four years later, when Brazil reclaimed the title, he was an established world star – but was injured in the group stage and could not play anymore. In 1970, Pelé was by far the best player in the championship, and Brazil won the World Cup in the best way. He played most of his career in Santos, but finished with two years with the New York Cosmos until 1975.
2. Ronaldo (1976)
As a 17-year-old, he was in the squad, but did not make the pitch when Brazil won the World Cup in 1994. In 1998, he was the big star, but did not quite live up to expectations. In 2002, he was the championship’s biggest profile, scoring eight goals – more than anyone else had done in a World Cup since 1970. In 2006, he scored three goals and became the all-time World Cup top scorer with 15 goals in total. In terms of clubs, he had the greatest success at Barcelona, Inter and Real Madrid. He won the Copa América in 1997 and 1999, as well as the Confederations Cup in 1997.
3. Garrincha (1933)
One of history’s best dribblers and a big star during both the 1958 and 1962 World Cups. He was actually by far the best player in 1962, when he was sent off in the semi-final against Chile – but was still allowed to play in the final, where Czechoslovakia was beaten. Played his entire heyday in Botafogo.
4. Zico (1953)
His big World Cup was in Spain in 1982, where he was one of the very best. He looked to be the man who would lead Brazil to World Cup gold – but then Brazil lost 2-3 to Italy in the intermediate round. In terms of clubs, he had the greatest success at Flamengo, who beat Liverpool in the Intercontinental Cup in 1981. He was also outstanding at Udinese for two seasons.
5. Didi (1928)
The best player in the 1958 World Cup. He was the central piece of Brazil’s team, which after a somewhat fluctuating start ended up as world champion – and one of the best World Cup teams of all time. He also helped win the World Cup in Chile in 1962. Became especially known for his fantastic kicking technique. Played for Fluminense and Botafogo, among others, and had a short stay at Real Madrid without success.
6. Romário (1966)
Was the World Cup’s best player when Brazil won the World Cup in 1994 for the first time in 24 years. He scored five goals and delivered many beautiful details. He was on his way to playing a major role in the 1998 World Cup, but was injured just before the championship. Also remembered for his time at Barcelona, where he played alongside Michael Laudrup. Previously played with great success at PSV Eindhoven. Won the Copa América in 1989 and 1997, as well as the Confederations Cup in 1997.
7. Rivaldo (1972)
Was a notch better than Ronaldo in the 1998 World Cup and ended up as one of the best players in the championship. Brazil lost the final, but won in 2002 – where Rivaldo was again one of the best. In terms of clubs, he was the best in Barcelona from 1997 to 2002. Won the Copa América in 1999 and the Confederations Cup in 1997.
8. Ronaldinho (1980)
Was by far the world’s best player in 2005 and until the World Cup in 2006. His level as a Barcelona player is one of the highest ever seen in international football. Unfortunately, the World Cup was a big disappointment – Brazil lost to France in the quarter-finals. He is still active, but not on the national team. Won the Copa América in 1999 and the Confederations Cup in 2005.
9. Zizinho (1921)
Participated in the 1950 World Cup on home soil, where he was one of the tournament’s best – but it was only a disappointing second place. He is in first place on the all-time top scorer list in the Copa America with 17 goals. Played in his heyday for Flamengo and Bangu.
10. Roberto Carlos (1973)
One of the best left-backs of all time – primarily because of his offensive qualities. In 1997, he scored one of the greatest free-kick goals in history against France. Won the Champions League in 1998, 2000 and 2002 – as well as the World Cup in 2002. Won the Copa América in 1997 and 1999, as well as the Confederations Cup in 1997.
11. Djalma Santos (1929)
The best right-back ever. For many years, he was one of the few Brazilian defenders to reach the status of one of the world’s best. Helped become world champion in both 1958 and 1962. Played his entire heyday for Botafogo.
12. Cafu (1970)
Helped win the World Championships in 1994 and 2002, and won silver in 1998. He was only in the final in 1994, but was also very good then. At the two subsequent championships, he was not only the best right-back – but also one of the championship’s biggest profiles. He is the only one to have played in three World Cup finals. Played for São Paulo and AS Roma, among others. Won the Copa América in 1997 and 1999, as well as the Confederations Cup in 1997.
13. Leônidas (1913)
One of the first to master the brass kick at the top level. Was the top scorer in the 1938 World Cup with eight goals. Unfortunately, he was spared in the semi-final against Italy – because the Brazilian national team coach was sure to win. He didn’t, and Leônidas had to settle for bronze. Played his best years for Flamengo.
14. Ademir (1922)
Could have become one of the greatest players in World Cup history if Brazil had won the World Cup on home soil in 1950. But in the final, Brazil was surprisingly beaten 2-1 by Uruguay. Ademir did not score in the final, but ended up with nine goals as the championship’s top scorer. Played most of his career for Vasco da Gama.
15. Nilton Santos (1925)
One of the best left-backs of all time. He was a technically strong player with great offensive qualities – something that was not common for a defender at the time. Became world champion in both 1958 and 1962, and played for Botafogo his entire career.
16. Paulo Roberto Falcão (1953)
Was part of Brazil’s fantastic team in the 1982 World Cup, where there was a surprising loss to eventual world champion Italy in the intermediate round. In terms of clubs, he had his best spell at AS Roma, where he helped win the Italian championship in 1983.
17. Jairzinho (1944)
The 1970 World Cup was his major championship. Brazil became world champions, and he scored in all six games – seven goals in total, including in the 4-1 final victory over Italy. Four years later, he was not as good, but helped Brazil a fourth place. Played for 15 years for Botafogo, and then in a number of clubs for shorter periods.
18. Gérson (1941)
Was on the national team for more than ten years. The highlight was of course the 1970 World Cup, where he was the creative driving force on the team that many consider to be the best in history. Played for Flamengo and Botafogo, among others.
19. Roberto Rivelino (1946)
Remembered not least for his large moustache. He was one of the world’s best attacking midfielders in the 1970s, and participated three times in the World Cup – from 1970, when he became world champion. Played for Corinthians and Fluminense, before ending his career at Al-Hilal.
20. Kaká (1982)
Played again for AC Milan – as in his heyday. Helped win the Champions League with the club in 2007, when he was also named the world’s best player. Participated in three World Championships: 2002, 2006 and 2010. In 2002, he became world champion, but only got playing time in one game. Helped win the Confederations Cup in 2005 and 2009.
21. Domingos da Guia (1912)
Brazil’s great defender in the 1930s and 1940s. Helped win bronze at the World Championships in 1938. Played for Flamengo and Corinthians, among others.
22. Socrates (1954)
Goal-scoring midfielder and captain of Brazil in the 1982 and 1986 World Cups. Played for several years for Corinthians, before moving to Fiorentina in Serie A in 1984.
23. Artur Friedenreich (1892)
The first major phenomenon in Brazilian football – and the first Afro-Brazilian profile in the country. Played in many clubs, but almost half his career in Paulistano (which no longer exists). Scored over 1200 goals and played 23 international matches, but never participated in a World Cup.
24. Antônio Careca (1960)
Was Brazil’s best offensive player in the 1986 World Cup, with five goals. Brazil had a very good team, but lost to France in the quarter-finals on penalties. Played in the late 1980s with great success for Napoli – alongside Diego Maradona. Scored two goals in the 1990 World Cup.
25. Tostão (1947)
Was a substitute in the 1966 World Cup, but four years later – when Brazil won the World Cup for the third time – he was one of the big stars. Scored two goals and, together with Jairzinho, Pelé and Rivelino, formed one of the best attacks of all time. Played his heyday for Cruzeiro.
26. Bebeto (1964)
Wasn’t a regular in 1990, but in 1994 he was one of the big players – and lived up to expectations when he was instrumental in Brazil becoming world champions. Still stood a bit in the shadow of his partner Romário. Was a regular in 1998 – because Romário was injured. Played for Flamengo and Deportivo La Coruña, among others. Won the Copa América in 1989.
27. Carlos Alberto (1944)
Captained the 1970 World Cup, where Brazil won gold in the best possible way. Was a right-back and impressed so much that on the basis of that championship he is considered one of the best right-backs of all time. Among other things, he scored a great goal in the final. In terms of clubs, he played for Santos and the New York Cosmos, among others.
28. Vavá (1934)
Belongs to the small group of players who have scored in two World Cup finals. In both 1958 and 1962, he got on the scoresheet – two goals the first time, one four years later. Both times, Brazil became world champions. Scored a total of nine World Cup goals. Played for Vasco da Gama and Atlético Madrid, among others.
29. Carlos Dunga (1963)
The Brazilian Iron Man was worth its weight in gold for Brazil in the 1990s. He was a perfect leader type and brought a sometimes cynical attitude – which gave balance to a team full of technical marvels. World champion in 1994 and silver medalist in 1998. Helped win the Copa América in 1989 and 1997.
30. Lúcio (1978)
One of the best centre-backs of this millennium. Helped win the World Cup in 2002 and played his 105th international match in 2011. Helped win the Champions League with Inter in 2010. Played before that with great success at Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern Munich. Helped win the Confederations Cup in 2005 and 2009.
