13. Tostao
Peter Robinson/EMPICS SportThe abundance of midfield talent alongside Rivelino in that all conquering 1970 team called for a redeployment of some of the era's other Brazilian greats, in particular free-scoring Tostao, who had played in the centre of the park during the Selecao's disappointing campaign in England in 1966, was redeployed as a centre forward alongside Pele. Playing for Cruzeiro in Belo Horizonte the midfielder dubbed "The Little Coin" scored 249 goals in 378 games from 1964-71 (still the club's record goalscorer) so the move forward made perfect sense. As centre forward Tostao played a key part in Brazil's 1970 success, scoring twice in the 4-2 quarter final victory over Peru and continuing to play the creative part that he had in the centre of midfield. In all he managed 32 goals in 54 caps before a detached retina caused him to retire at the early age of 27, robbing Brazilian football of one of its greatest talents.
12. Socrates
Peter Robinson/EMPICS SportAn intellectual who was active in leftist politics, opposing the country's military government, and trained as a medical doctor during his playing career, Dr. Socrates was much more than simply a footballer, but he was still one of the great players of his time. A technically accomplished playmaker who set up goals as easily as he scored them, Socrates was the captain and the heart of the attacking, skillful Brazil team of the 1980s, during the 24 year gap between the country's third and fourth world title. Enjoying his greatest club success with Corinthians, Socrates scored 172 times in 297 games and won the Sao Paulo state championship three times. Socrates scored Brazil's first goal of the 1982 World Cup as the team raced to win their first four matches in the first two rounds of the tournament. He scored again in the crucial game against eventual champions Italy, but, in a game dubbed the Sarria Stadium Tragedy, the Italians greater defensive organisation won out against Socrates and his team's skills. It was the same story four years later when Socrates missed the opening penalty in a quarter final shoot out loss to France. Bizarrely, this Brazilian great came out of retirement after 15 years to play one game for non-league Yorkshire club Garforth Town in 2004.