Top 10 Best Brazilian Football Players in the World (Currently Ranked)

If a child is born in Brazil, he sees his mother, father, and a football for the first time when he opens his eyes. That’s what football means to the Samba nation. The best Brazilian football players of all time, like Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, and Roberto Carlos, to name a few, remain fresh in the memory of every football fan. However, they haven’t performed exceptionally well in recent international competitions. The last time they won the World Cup was in 2002; since then, they have been on the wrong side of cruel defeats. Does 7-1 ring a bell?

But the conveyor belt of talents remains high, with players like Neymar Jr., Vinicius Jr., and many more gracing the football field to display the skills of Joga Bonito. Hence, we look at the best Brazilian footballers who play the game right now.

List of Best Brazilian Footballers Currently

Brazil best football players cross the seas to come to Europe and play in some of the biggest leagues in the world. This certainly doesn’t mean they don’t play in their own league. But with unlimited coverage for the European game, their ability to shine on the grandest stage attracts eyeballs to the country. So, who is the best football player in Brazil?

How We Ranked Brazil Best Football Players?

We follow a list of parameters critical to the ranking process to determine the best Brazilian football players. When judging a footballer, stats are not the end of the world. Having the influence and ability to get a man out of the seat counts, too, to determine who is the best football player in Brazil. Hence, there are five parameters we judge the player on: Performance Stats, Consistency, Playing Position, Impact in Key Matches, and Trophies/Achievements.

• Performance Stats: The most basic component used to determine the player’s ability is the stats. Stats help you know a player’s basic effectiveness on the football pitch. Be it a goal, a tackle, or a pass, the data analytics teams of clubs scout players and sign them to provide solid output for their respective teams.
• Consistency: There’s no point in scoring a hat trick and going scoreless for the next ten games. Consistency remains key in every professional job a person does, and football’s not different.
• Playing Position: The position where a player plays certainly becomes crucial for every team. A forward scores goals, and a goalkeeper prevents them. Even if you can draw a match, to win a game, you need forwards to score goals. Therefore, playing position and the importance of that role will ensure success.
• Impact in Key Matches: Some players perform remarkably well throughout the league but later falter in a crucial match like a World Cup or Champions League final. Therefore, big-game players are often underrated in today’s game, and this certainly becomes a parameter for ranking the best Brazilian footballers.
• Trophies/Achievements: Every player wants to win, and nobody plays to come second. Therefore, it’s an obvious parameter on how the players must win trophies or earn other achievements with their club or country.

Who Is the Best Football Player in Brazil Right Now?

The best Brazilian football players certainly catch the eyes of most fans. They play for some of the most reputable clubs in the world, and fans enjoy watching some of the best Brazilian football players who set the pitch on fire with their skills. We go from descending order to rank the best Brazilian football players on this list. Apart from total appearances, goals, and assists, all the other stats are taken from their league performances.

10. Neymar Jr. (Santos FC)

Even though he was injured for most of the previous campaign, the name Neymar brings excitement. However, the fairytale ending for one of Brazil best football players looks to be going on a downward spiral with all his injuries. Right now, with Santos FC, the Brazilian football star must improve his game to get into the team for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. If not, coach Carlo Ancelotti could drop him from the squad. Yet, with Neymar being just 33, he’s got time to get back to fitness.

After all, his skill set demands a team to be built around him, and his creativity could help Brazil flourish in the World Cup, either as a starter or from the bench. He’s appeared in 14 games in the Brasileiro Série A, scoring four goals and three assists in all competitions. He clocks 2.24 successful dribbles in a match, well below his standard. Hence, with his legacy and international recognition, he ranks 10th among the best Brazilian footballers.

09. Endrick (Real Madrid)

The next player on the list is Endrick, the teenage sensation at Real Madrid. After his sensational performances for Real Madrid, the Brazilian wonderkid took the world by storm. He’s a teenage sensation looking to lead the line for Madrid in future years. But with Kylian Mbappe in the side, he must wait to become a regular starter.

But Endrick remains their next No. 9 for the Brazilian national side. He’s strong for his age, and his finishing capabilities exceed his years. He can link up well with his teammates and has time to grow. With a shot rate per 90 of 6.12, Endrick loves to score goals.

08. Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal)

A rock at the back for Arsenal, Gabriel Magalhães will be a regular starter for Brazil in the future. He arrived at Arsenal in 2020 and has been a rock at the back for the Gunners. With William Saliba, the duo conceded just 34 Premier League goals last year and complemented each other perfectly.

He’s a player who doesn’t shy away from a challenge and contests for aerial balls with ease. With 2.09 aerial duels won last season, Gabriel’s defensive prowess screams quality at the back, and the man doesn’t back down from a challenge. Thus, if Arsenal has to win the Champions League or the Premier League, Gabriel must be the player to look out for.

07. Éder Militão (Real Madrid)

We come to another Brazilian defender who’s had his fair share of injuries but remains reliable whenever he steps on the turf. Éder Militão has remained a stalwart in defence for Real Madrid throughout these years. He’s one of the best Brazilian football players in the world and often partners with another solid player, Marquinhos.

Another serial winner, he won two Champions League titles and three Spanish League titles with Madrid. However, Madrid won nothing apart from the UEFA Super Cup last year, so he ranks down the list. With an 89.8% pass accuracy, Militão is a solid ball-playing defender who can pick out a pass with ease. He is one of Brazil best football players who continues to grow in each passing season.

06. Raphinha (Barcelona)

In his first two seasons with Barcelona, Raphinha scored 20 goals and 23 assists in all competitions. The best Brazilian football players never shy away from a challenge, and he scored 34 goals and 22 assists in his third season. That’s the level of improvement the winger made with Barcelona. The team won the Spanish league this year, and he played a critical part in their title run.

With Lamine Yamal‘s emergence as a superstar, the winger moved from the right to the left wing. Thus, Hansi Flick unlocked a football player with an xG of 0.61 per 90. With 6.20 touches in the box, Raphinha’s nimble feet bring defenders down inside the penalty box. Hence, he is one of the best Brazilian football players in the world.

05. Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle United)

Newcastle United ended their 70-year barren run for a trophy as they lifted the Carabao Cup after defeating Liverpool. The main credit for that cup-winning run goes to Bruno Guimarães. He’s the first world-class player to arrive at Newcastle United after Saudi Arabian investors took over the club. Thus, the central midfielder is one of Brazil best football players in the team.

He’s a bit of a box-to-box midfielder who scores the odd goal, can ping the ball over 50 yards, and come back and help the defence. His passion and determination make up for the lack of creativity you expect from one of the best Brazilian footballers. Yet, he’s creative in his way and wins fouls with his dribbling ability, and he ended up getting fouled 2.96 times per 90. Thus, Bruno’s the leading man at Geordie Nation.

04. Alisson Becker (Liverpool)

The legendary goalkeeper of Liverpool, who is arguably the greatest Premier League player, might be on his way to becoming one of the best Brazilian football players in the game. A country that doesn’t possess great goalies like their attacking options, Alisson’s ball-playing ability and command in his goalpost make him a wall.

Eyebrows were raised after he arrived at Liverpool from AS Roma for £67 million. But every penny came back in the form of two Premier League titles and a Champions League. With a 72.9% save percentage, Alisson remains a solid player for Liverpool and Brazil.

03. Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain)

After spending 12 years at Paris Saint-Germain, Marquinhos won his first UEFA Champions League title following a sensational campaign for the French club. He’s been a stalwart for PSG for around 12 years and marshalled the defence brilliantly in the past decade. Therefore, the player deserves a mention and ranks third among the best Brazilian football players.

Likewise, Marquinhos remains tactically solid, and his positioning is second to none. More than his skill set, Marquinhos’ leadership remains underrated for the club. Given his immense contribution to the club, one can safely place him in the PSG legends list.

02. Rodrygo (Real Madrid)

When Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior get all the plaudits for Real Madrid’s exploits, Rodrygo quietly goes about his business. The Raumdeuter role suits him as he gets into space and efficiently slots the ball into the net. He’s a crucial player to Real Madrid and Brazil, and Rodrygo plays his role to perfection. Tracking back to help in defence, his off-the-ball movement and work rate remain crucial.

Although Rodrygo didn’t have a productive season last campaign, he created 2.28 chances per 90 minutes. Defensively, he won 53.3% of duels and is not afraid to put his leg out to nick the ball back. But for Brazil, he certainly doesn’t get a lot of chances, but going forward with Carlo Ancelotti at the helm, he might become an undroppable player for the club. He’s among the best Brazilian football players and is still young and hungry to improve.

01. Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid)

The undisputed star boy of Brazil Vinicius Junior, continues to grow each passing season. The left winger is one of the best Brazilian football players right now and Real Madrid’s creative spark. He runs with the ball, never shy to take on a world-class defender for a dribble, and his trademark outside foot pass splits most defences.

With 22 goals and 16 assists, Vinicius Junior’s effectiveness helped Madrid win the UEFA Super Cup last time. However, despite his dominance in the field, Vinicius Jr. didn’t win any major trophies like the La Liga or the UEFA Champions League. To understand his influence in the final third, his 9.05 touches inside the opposition box speak volumes about his ability. Hence, the answer to the question, “Who is the best football player in Brazil?” is Vinicius Junior.