Brazil’s 10 Best No.10s of All-time
- Think Football Ideas
- Sep 8, 2025
- 6 min read
Updated: Sep 12, 2025
Football has seen countless Brazilian players bend the course of history with skill and imagination. Yet, when a player wears the nation’s No.10 shirt, the responsibility becomes something far greater.
This jersey is more than fabric and number as it embodies creativity, artistry, and the weight of expectation. To carry it is to inherit the tradition of samba football, to be the conductor of attacking play, and to inspire moments etched into global memory.
Across decades, legendary figures have elevated the shirt and position into an enduring symbol of brilliance.
Below Are Brazil’s Greatest No.10s of All Time
10. Juninho Paulista (1995–2003)
Appearances: 52
Goals: 4
Major Honours: World Cup (2002), Confederations Cup (1997)
Nicknamed The Little Fella, Juninho Paulista proved that size never determined influence. Standing only 5ft5, he commanded midfields with dazzling touches, crisp passing, and a sharp football brain.
His impact was felt not only in Brazil but also in England, where he lit up Middlesbrough during the Premier League’s formative years. For Brazil, he was a reliable craftsman in possession, offering intelligence and poise whenever called upon.
His career highlight came as part of the 2002 World Cup-winning squad, adding to his earlier Confederations Cup triumph in 1997, sealing his legacy as a playmaker of real substance.
9. Jair (1940–1956)
Appearances: 39
Goals: 22
Major Honours: Copa América (1949)
Before Pelé and the golden generations that followed, Jair da Rosa Pinto carried Brazil’s hopes with fearless attacking play.
He made an immediate impact on debut in 1940, scoring Brazil’s lone goal in a 6–1 defeat to Argentina. Throughout the decade, he haunted Uruguay, most memorably striking twice in the 1949 Copa América final as Brazil crushed Paraguay 7–0 to lift the trophy.
That same year, he set the record with nine goals in the tournament, and it is a mark that still stands. Yet the 1950 World Cup brought heartbreak, as Jair rattled the post in the fateful Maracanazo before Uruguay rallied to snatch the title.
Though the defeat weighed heavily, his 22 goals in 39 appearances secured his place as one of Brazil’s earliest attacking greats.
8. Rai (1987–1998)
Appearances: 49
Goals: 15
Major Honours: World Cup (1994), Pan American Games (1997)
Raí embodied elegance and authority, a playmaker whose blend of vision, composure, and physical presence made him stand out in any attacking role.
Selected by coach Carlos Alberto Parreira for the 1994 World Cup, he wore the captain’s armband during the group stage and marked Brazil’s opening match by converting a penalty against Russia.
Though he later lost his starting place, his leadership and experience remained vital as the team marched to their first World Cup triumph in 24 years.
Away from the national side, Raí cemented his legend at Paris Saint-Germain, where his intelligence, creativity, and timing made him one of the club’s most adored figures. His 15 goals in 49 appearances for Brazil underline a career that combined responsibility with flair.
7. Rivelino (1965–1978)
Appearances: 92
Goals: 26
Major Honours: World Cup (1970)
He was famous for his thunderous left foot and dazzling dribbling, which secured his place among Brazil’s most revered playmakers.
A virtuoso of the Elastico, he left defenders bewildered and inspired future generations, including Diego Maradona.
At the 1970 World Cup, wearing the No.11 jersey, he scored three goals, including a bending free-kick against Czechoslovakia, earning the nickname Patada Atómica (Atomic Kick) from Mexican fans.
Rivelino later donned the No.10 in the 1974 and 1978 World Cups, where his creativity, vision, and tactical intelligence shaped Brazil’s attacks. Over 92 caps, he combined artistry with effectiveness, leaving a legacy of inventive brilliance.
6. Neymar (2010–Present)
Appearances: 128
Goals: 79
Major Honours: Confederations Cup (2013), Olympic Gold (2016)
Neymar debuted for Brazil at age 18 after standout seasons with Santos, quickly emerging as the team’s focal point.
Initially overlooked for the 2010 World Cup, he soon established himself through decisive goals, assists, and technical brilliance.
Wearing the iconic No.10 shirt from 2013, he dominated the Confederations Cup and became central to Brazil’s attack at the 2014 World Cup before injury curtailed his tournament.
He captained the 2016 Olympic side to gold and, by 2023, surpassed Pelé as Brazil’s top scorer. While a World Cup title has eluded him, his consistency across more than a decade ensures his place among the most iconic wearers of the No.10.
5. Kaká (2002–2016)
Appearances: 92
Goals: 29
Major Honours: World Cup (2002), Confederations Cup (2005, 2009)
Effortless in stride and graceful in execution, Kaká epitomised the modern attacking midfielder. He moved through midfield with poise, threading passes and initiating attacks with remarkable timing.
While part of Brazil’s 2002 World Cup-winning squad, he played a supporting role, but his influence grew steadily, culminating in standout performances during the 2005 and 2009 Confederations Cups, where he scored decisive goals and earned the Golden Ball in 2009.
One of his most memorable moments came in a 2006 friendly against Argentina, racing past defenders, including Lionel Messi, to score a goal widely regarded as his finest for the Seleção, showcasing the perfect blend of speed, vision, and control.
4. Rivaldo (1993–2003)
Appearances: 76
Goals: 35
Major Honours: World Cup (2002), Copa América (1999), Confederations Cup (1997)
Rivaldo’s left foot was both weapon and wand, capable of thunderous strikes and subtle, incisive passes.
At the 2002 World Cup, he formed the famed attacking trio with Ronaldo and Ronaldinho, the “three R’s,” scoring in each of Brazil’s first five matches and helping orchestrate the team’s path to a fifth World Cup triumph.
Earlier, he had starred in the 1999 Copa América, finishing as top scorer with five goals, including decisive strikes against Argentina and Uruguay.
Across 79 caps, Rivaldo combined creativity with clinical finishing, delivering acrobatic volleys, long-range strikes, and precise assists, cementing his legacy as one of Brazil’s most effective No.10s.
3. Ronaldinho (1999–2013)
Appearances: 97
Goals: 33
Honours: World Cup (2002), Copa América (1999), Confederations Cup (2005)
Few players have captured the imagination of fans like Ronaldinho, whose presence on the pitch was both enchanting and decisive.
His technical mastery, mesmerising dribbles, and inventive passing made every match a showcase of creativity, yet his contributions were more than spectacle.
Early on, he announced himself on the international stage by claiming the Golden Ball and Golden Boot at the 1999 FIFA Confederations Cup, scoring in nearly every match.
His brilliance peaked during the 2002 World Cup quarter-final against England, where a 40-yard free-kick and a perfectly timed assist to Rivaldo turned the game, cementing his reputation as a match-winner.
Across 97 appearances, 33 goals, and 29 assists, Ronaldinho embodied the artistry, imagination, and influence that define Brazil’s iconic No.10.
2. Zico (1976–1986)
Appearances: 71
Goals: 48
Assists: 21
Honours: No major with Brazil
Zico carried the heavy mantle of being branded the White Pelé, and he lived up to it with vision, technique, and an unmatched free-kick ability.
Despite never winning a World Cup, his brilliance for Brazil was unquestionable. His 48 goals in 71 appearances underline his influence.
A Flamengo legend, he orchestrated attacks with elegance, carving through defensive lines with incisive passing and creative ingenuity.
His international career was marked by near-misses, yet his reputation as one of football’s great playmakers is secure. For many, Zico was the finest Brazilian never to taste the ultimate international glory.
1. Pelé (1957–1971)
Appearances: 92
Goals: 77
Honours: World Cup (1958, 1962, 1970)
At the summit stands Pelé, the eternal emblem of Brazilian football. Making his international debut at just 16, he quickly announced himself on the world stage with a blend of audacity and poise.
By the 1970 World Cup, he was the central orchestrator of one of football’s most celebrated squads, scoring the opening goal in the final and assisting in what is often hailed as the greatest team goal in history.
Across 92 caps, 77 goals, and three World Cup triumphs, Pelé’s vision, technique, and footballing intelligence set an enduring benchmark for the No.10 shirt, shaping generations of attacking brilliance and leaving a global legacy that transcends football itself.
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