There are few jerseys in world football more iconic than Brazil’s famous bright yellow offering, and few numbers that are more prestigious than the No.10.
When those two forces combine, fireworks are to be expected. That has certainly been the case in South America down the years, with some of the most iconic figures to have ever graced the game strutting their stuff while turning out for the Selecao.
Who, though, can be considered the best of the best? Compiling such lists is always tricky, with there so many factors to be taken into consideration, but here are 10 of the greatest Brazilian No.10s.
1. Pele
📖👑 Pelé: Someone who is “out of the ordinary.” pic.twitter.com/Bi3SRLuRUu
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) April 27, 2023
Arguably the greatest footballer of all time, never mind the best No.10 to represent Brazil.
Pele scored over 1,000 goals during his remarkable career, guiding his country to three World Cup wins along the way.
Historically, Pele has gone down as one of the most iconic footballers of all time, renowned for having performed at a level that few have been able to achieve before or since.
2. Ronaldinho
Others on this list may have achieved more, in terms of silverware, but Ronaldinho played with a smile and put one on the face of everybody fortunate enough to watch him play.
He is one of the few soccer players who won everything in football and is also regarded as one of the greatest dribblers in football history.
Seemingly blessed with elastic legs and unshakable self-belief, the Barcelona icon conquered the world in 2002 while being named the best player on the planet on two occasions.
3. Zico
Played in some of the greatest Brazilian sides ever seen, but never got his hands on the World Cup trophy. Zico scored over 62 free-kicks in his day, as he was something of a set-piece specialist, and was widely recognized as the finest player of his generation in the late 1970s and 80s.
4. Neymar
Jogo Bonito
Neymar ties Pelé in style. 77 Brazil goals. Incredible. pic.twitter.com/qb1aiiTSVz
— COPA90 (@Copa90) December 9, 2022
Neymar is not yet a World Cup winner, but outright sports betting markets have Brazil currently priced at odds of +600 to savor global glory in 2026 and Neymar may finally get the chance to emulate Lionel Messi by getting his hands on the one major prize to have eluded him so far.
He became one of the youngest captains in football history when he became the leader of the Selecao at 21.
The feeling is that he is destined to become his country’s all-time leading goalscorer at some stage, which would make him the first to break Pele’s record.
5. Rivaldo
Like Ronaldinho, Rivaldo is a Brazilian icon who will forever be lauded as a legend at Barcelona.
Blessed with a wand of a left foot and capable of conjuring up moments of match-altering brilliance out of nothing, Rivaldo won the World Cup in 2002 and was the 1999 Ballon d’Or winner.
6. Marta
Perhaps the greatest women’s player of all time, with a whopping six World Player of the Year awards to her name.
Marta is a generational talent who has broken down barriers and smashed supposed glass ceilings, scoring over 110 goals for her country.
Marta can also boast silver medals to her name at both the World Cup and Olympic Games.
7. Kaka
#OnThisDay in 2007 @KAKA won the FIFA World Player of the Year award, with Lionel Messi finishing in 2nd and Cristiano Ronaldo in 3rd pic.twitter.com/n1xUw59p2k
— FIFA (@FIFAcom) December 18, 2017
Another creative influence that formed part of Brazil’s 2002 World Cup-winning squad, Kaka drifted past opponents at his peak with grace and guile.
Kaka shone brightest at club level while in Italy with AC Milan, which landed him the 2007 Ballon d’Or.
8. Rivellino
Bending free-kicks, swerving passes, close control, and mesmeric dribbling ability, mustachioed Rivellino could do it all.
Won the World Cup in 1970 as part of a Brazil side widely acknowledged to be the best to have ever graced a football pitch.
9. Jair
Blessed with searing pace and dribbling skills that few others in his era possessed, Jair guided Brazil to Copa America glory in 1949 and the World Cup final a year later. Jair paved the way for many of those that followed in his footsteps.
10. Rai
A commanding physical specimen whose technical ability belied his size, Paris Saint-Germain icon Rai earned a World Cup winners’ medal in 1994 but lost his place and the captaincy during that tournament – meaning that he missed out on the chance to lift a famous trophy.
Given the rich history of No.10s in Brazilian football, it should be considered only a matter of time before another superstar steps up – in both the men’s and women’s games – to fill a legendary jersey.
Fans around the world will take great delight in watching bids to join the most distinguished roll of honor unfold.
