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.
馃嚙馃嚪 Congratulations Brazil 馃憦馃憦馃憦
馃憫 The five-time #WorldCup champs become the first South American nation to win their way to Qatar 2022 鉁堬笍馃嚩馃嚘 https://t.co/WCeKIWT1hi
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 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:
Marcelo's at it again. That ball control 馃敟
https://t.co/QFpBN3QTZ5
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:
Marcelo demonstrating even better ball control than Sting.
https://t.co/H6NvhkGjbV
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:
馃巶 Celebrate Marcelo's birthday with these skills 馃い
馃嚙馃嚪 @MarceloM12 = best left-back in Champions League history? 馃
@realmadriden | #HBD | #UCL https://t.co/hRMPtKnGFN
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
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.
@DamianDROB Dani Alves has won the most trophies. https://t.co/LQFzLsghCz
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:
This Messi and Alves combination 馃槑
https://t.co/zYZXVW58xu
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:
馃槑 No-look through ball by Dani Alves to set up Messi #OTD in 2013 馃い
#UCL | @FCBarcelona | @DaniAlvesD2 https://t.co/bWFBWt2opj
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.