20 Greatest Brazilian Players Of All Time

19. Roberto Carlos

PAUL WHITE/AP/Press Association ImagesPAUL WHITE/AP/Press Association ImagesIn 2002 a FIFA-run public vote determined the all time World Cup Dream Team, on which were three Brazilians, two of which are yet to come on this list, but the third is the famous left back whose incredibly powerful shot saw him dubbed "El Hombre Bala", the Bullet Man. Roberto Carlos played for the Selecao in the 1998, 2002 and 2006 World Cups, winning one and making it to the final in another. In all, Roberto Carlos played 125 times for Brazil, scoring 11 goals including his incredible banana shot free kick against France in 1997. At club level he enjoyed his greatest success in a lucrative 11 year spell as one of Real Madrid's galacticos. In 584 games for the Meringues, Roberto Carlos won La Liga 4 times and the Champions League 3 times, becoming one of the club's most decorated players. Roberto Carlos retired in 2012 after brief spells in Turkey, Russia and back in Brazil. He is remembered as one of the greatest attacking full backs there has been.

18. Ronaldinho

Ricardo Mazalan/AP/Press Association ImagesRicardo Mazalan/AP/Press Association ImagesThe only player on this list still playing, Ronaldinho's good form with club Atletico Mineiro meant that the 34 year old came very close to a World Cup call up again this time around, having last year lead Atletico to their first Copa Libertadores title and beat Neymar to the South American Player of the Year award. This latest success is just one final chapter in a glittering career for the gifted forward. While at Paris St-Germain Ronaldinho emerged as a global star during the 2002 World Cup in which he formed part of a lethal forward trio alongside Ronaldo and Rivaldo. Particularly remembered for the curling 40 yard free kick that proved the winning goal in the quarter-final against England, Ronaldinho was one of four players from the winning Brazil side to make the tournament's All Star Team. Joining Barcelona in 2003, Ronaldinho became the Catalan club's biggest star in a five year spell that saw him scoring 94 goals in 207 games and winning La Liga twice and the Champions League once. Ronaldinho was named FIFA World Player of the Year in 2004 and 2005 and won the prestigious Ballon d'Or in 2005.
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