Brazil Soccer Players

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I always wondered how Brazil soccer players manage to keep their country's national side on top for so long, as it seems they own a never-ending stream of talent running through Brazil. Eventually I found the answer. Remember when that long-time-no-see relative or your teacher asked you what you want to become when you grow up?

Most of our answers included becoming an astronaut, doctor, pilot, fireman, police officer or whatnot. But I'm willing to bet that if you ask a Brazilian kid the same question, he won’t have to take his time narrowing down his choices, as there's only one choice available: he will want to become a famous soccer player for Brazil's national squad.

Their joy for soccer as a sport and the fervor with which they practice it makes you look at every Brazilian youngster like a future Zico, Garrincha, Pele or Ronaldinho.

As a soccer fan, you probably heard these names either from your parents or even grandparents soccer stories, or, as is the case with Ronalidnho for example, witnessed them first hand.

Regardless, there was never a shortage of famous soccer players from Brazil and what I'll try to do next is give you a short insight on the most important ones, as well as focus on their achievements in the Brazil squad. (find more players from other nationalities at the Famous Soccer Players section)...

Brazil Soccer Players - Leonidas da Silva (1913-2004)

As Brazil was finally established as a solid national side in the 1938 World Cup, they showed the world what the Brazilian presence of spirit and technique can achieve, especially through their key gunman, Leonidas da Silva, one of the most famous Brazil soccer players at that point.

Nicknamed the "Rubberman" due to his elasticity, Leonidas was the first soccer player to score 4 goals in a single World Cup match and he is also considered the "inventor" of the bicycle kick.

Brazil Soccer Players – Pele (1940)
Considered by many specialist the greatest soccer player in the World, Edson Arantes do Nascimento, or Pele for short, managed to make himself noticed as he played his first match for the Brazilian national side at only 17 years of age.

Forming an exploding duo with another famous soccer players from Brazil, Garrincha, Pele managed to win the World Cup three times, in 1958 (at age 17!), 1962 and 1970.

Brazil Soccer Players - Garrincha (1933 – 1983)

By his full name Manoel Francisco dos Santos, Garrincha earned this nickname, which means "little bird" in Brazilian, due to his playful, often child-like behavior. A fast winger and a decisive passer, Garrincha was well known for his incredible assists and his powerful free kicks.

He is considered the second-best Brazilian soccer player after Pele, with whom he formed a World Cup winning duo in 1958 and 1962.

Brazil Soccer Players – Ronaldinho (1980)

One of today's soccer's most preeminent figures, Ronaldinho won his stardom status thorough his finesse in both passing and dribbling as well as his decisiveness for goal.

He is widely considered the best soccer player of today (some say of all time, despite being still in his middle 20s) and won the FIFA World Player of the Year twice, in 2005 and 2006.