Ranking the 5 greatest Brazilian footballers of the 21st century

Football is a religion in Brazil, where young kids begin to play the sport very early. The sport is played all over the country both professionally and leisurely.

Brazil are the most successful international team in the world, having won five FIFA World Cup titles. Players like Pele, Zico, Garrincha, Romario, Rivaldo and Ronaldo Nazario have helped bring the Selecao to the top with their incredible talent.

Brazil became the first South American team to qualify for next year's FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

The team currently boasts young and upcoming players like Vinicius Junior, Lucas Paqueta, Gabriel Magalhaes and Eder Militao. Goalkeeper Alisson has also been in top form in the past few years for Brazil and Liverpool. Tite has a large pool of exciting players to pick his squad from.

As the 21st year of the 21st century draws to a close, here's a look at the five greatest Brazilian footballers this century:

---

#5 Marcelo

Marcelo - Real Madrid vs Chelsea - UEFA Champions League Semi-Final: Leg One

Marcelo Vieira da Silva Junior, simply known as Marcelo, was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1988. He came through the youth ranks at Fluminense, and debuted for them in 2005. Real Madrid spotted the Brazilian, and signed him in 2007. Marcelo has been with Los Blancos since then.

Marcelo has made 544 appearances for Real Madrid, scoring 41 goals and providing 101 assists. He has won five La Liga titles, two Copa del Reys and four UEFA Champions League titles with the club. The Brazilian was a key part of the all-conquering Real Madrid team that won a Champions League three-peat between 2016 and 2018.

The full-back is renowned for his attacking prowess. Marcelo's overlapping runs, bursts into the opponent's box and shots from distance are key for his team. He has a typical Brazilian element to his game as well, with his ball-control being a thing of beauty.

Watch as Marcelo plucks the ball out of the air with a 'rabona' touch and makes it look effortless:

In a game against Bayern Munich in the Champions League, Marcelo received a cross-field ball, and killed it with one deft touch to keep the play going.

You can watch the video of that here:

The Brazilian displayed great footwork to navigate through tight spaces and corners. He has been key on the left side of Real Madrid's defence over the years.

You can watch a montage of Marcelo's skills here:

Marcelo's game time has reduced considerably in recent times. However, the Brazilian's presence in the Real Madrid dressing room is invaluable, as he's one of the most successful players of all time.

---

#4 Dani Alves

Gold Medal Match: Men's Football - Olympics: Day 15

Daniel Alves da Silva was born in Juazeiro, Brazil, in 1983. He began his professional career at Brazilian club Bahia, and has gone on to play for Sevilla, Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus and Sao Paolo. Alves is one of the most decorated players of all time.

Dani Alves has won nine domestic league titles, seven domestic cups, three UEFA Champions League titles and two UEFA Cups in his career. He also won two Copa Americas and as many Confederations Cups with Brazil. The Brazilian has played 824 career games, scoring 59 goals and providing 168 assists.

Alves has the most trophies (45) by any player in the history of the game.

Mainly deployed as a right-back, Alves formed a formidable partnership in attack with Lionel Messi at Barcelona. The pair often combined to score goals that were extremely pleasing to the eye.

Here is a clip of the pair combining to score some beautiful goals for Barcelona:

Alves paid the favour back to Messi as well, assisting the Argentine on several occasions. Once against PSG, he played a beautiful 'trivela' pass into Messi's feet, which the forward finished with aplomb.

You can watch that clip here:

Dani Alves is currently back at Barcelona to help out former teammate and current manager Xavi Hernandez. The Brazilian could play a key role on and off the pitch for the Blaugrana as they seek to return to their halcyon days.

Take a look into Dani Alves's Car Collection, from his most cherished to his least expensive wheels.

#3 Kaka

USA vs Brazil - FIFA Confederations Cup Final

Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite, or simply 'Kaka', was born in Gama, Brazil, in 1982. He began his career in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and went on to play for AC Milan, Real Madrid and MLS side Orlando City SC.

Kaka won two league titles, two domestic cups and one UEFA Champions League during his club career. With Brazil, the midfielder won the 2002 FIFA World Cup as well as two Confederations Cups (2005, 2009). He also won the Ballon d'Or award in 2007, after winning the UEFA Champions League with Milan that year.

Kaka was known for his attacking prowess, dribbling past opponents with ease and scoring like a striker. He was good with both feet, headed the ball reasonably well, and had incredible pace. In 529 career appearances, he scored 161 goals and provided 154 assists.

The Brazilian scored one of the best goals ever scored in the Champions League. In 2007 against Manchester United, he beat three defenders and the goalkeeper to score an amazing goal.

You can watch that clip here:

Kaka was dangerous when he ran at defenders, and could switch directions swiftly and effortlessly. In a Champions League game in 2005, he made light work of the opposition defence, cutting through them like a knife through butter en route to scoring a great goal.

You can watch the highlight of that goal here:

Kaka retired in 2017 after declining multiple offers to play for Sao Paulo and AC Milan. He later confirmed that he would work in a directorial role with Milan.

---

#2 Neymar

Neymar has become one of Brazil's all-time greats at a relatively young age./

Neymar da Silva Santos Junior, known as Neymar Jr., was born in Mogi das Cruzes, Brazil, in 1992. He began his career with Santos in 2009, and has since played for Barcelona and now Paris Saint-Germain. The Brazilian is widely renowned for his incredible footwork, tricks and flicks.

He has won nine domestic league titles, seven domestic cups, one UEFA Champions League and one Copa Libertadores in his career thus far. With Brazil, he won the Confederations Cup in 2013.

Neymar is fabulous at using the space available to him, be it around a defender, over their head, or even through their legs. In 2015, in a game against Villarreal, he produced a moment of sheer genius and class. Neymar flicked Luis Suarez's pass over his own head, turned the defender and finished into the bottom corner.

You can watch that clip here:

Earlier in his career, the Brazilian maestro produced a moment of brilliance for Santos against Flamengo. Neymar combined with his teammates to start an incredible solo run that saw him knock the ball around a defender before scoring a coolly taken goal. He made it 3-0 for Santos in the first half with that goal.

You can watch that clip here:

Also check out Neymar's Net Worth in 2021, his expenses and investments all in one place.

---

#1 Ronaldinho

Ronaldinho is by far Brazil's most entertaining footballer of all time.

Ronaldo de Assis Moreira, known as Ronaldinho Gaucho, was born in Porto Alegre, Brazil, in 1980.

He began his professional career with Brazilian club Gremio in 1998, and went on to play for Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona, AC Milan and Flamengo, among others. Ronaldinho is best known for his innovative skill moves that left defenders bewildered.

The Brazilian has won four domestic league titles, four domestic cups and one UEFA Champions League with Barcelona in 2006. With Brazil, he enjoyed great success too, winning the Copa America in 1999, the FIFA World Cup in 2002 and the Confederations Cup in 2005.

Ronaldinho produced a moment of magic in 2002 in a World Cup game against England. He saw goalkeeper David Seaman off his line, attempted an audacious looping free-kick from more than 40 yards, and scored.

You can watch that clip here:

The Brazilian was also incredibly aware of a football's movement and bounce, and always used it to his advantage. He is widely credited with inventing the 'elastico' - a quick move to freeze and beat a defender using a rapid change of direction.

An example of Ronaldinho's 'elastico' can be seen here:

The Brazilian was loved by both sets of fans at all the clubs he played for. The only way to conclude this article would be with a collection of Ronaldinho's best moments from the Champions League.

You can watch that clip here:

Ronaldinho announced his retirement in January 2018 as one of the greatest players to have played the game.