Top 9 Brazilian Forwards Football Has Ever Seen
- Think Football Ideas
- Sep 11
- 6 min read
Top 9 Brazilian Forwards of All-time – Canarinho Greats
Brazil, a nation blessed with an endless stream of artistry, has always produced forwards who illuminate football’s grandest stages. These men understand what it means to embody samba football, blending rhythm, flair, and ruthless finishing.
In deciding who stands among the very best Brazilian forwards ever seen, you must weigh numbers, memories, and legacies carved into history.
Even then, separating icons can be impossible. Becoming a top Canarinho forward is not about goals alone, it is about leaving a permanent impression on both the pitch and the imagination of the world.
Here Are the Top 9 Brazilian Forwards of All-time – Canarinho Greats
9. Neymar
Career: 2009–Present
International: 128 caps, 79 goals, 59 assists
Notable Clubs: Santos, Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain
Major Honours: La Liga (2), Ligue 1 (5), Copa Libertadores, FIFA Confederations Cup, and Olympics
From Santos prodigy to global superstar, Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior has carried the weight of Brazilian football in the modern era.
His dazzling dribbles, outrageous skill, and penchant for goals made him the symbol of Brazil’s attacking tradition after Ronaldinho’s decline. At Barcelona, he flourished in the famed attacking trio with Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez.
His move to Paris Saint-Germain then made headlines for its record-breaking fee, and while he collected multiple Ligue 1 titles and lit up European nights, the club ultimately hoped he would spearhead their long-awaited quest for a first Champions League crown.
For Brazil, he surpassed Pelé as the country’s all-time top scorer, though his only international silverware remains the 2013 Confederations Cup. His artistry continues to polarise and inspire in equal measure.
9. Didi
Career: 1947–1967
International: 68 caps, 20 goals, 15 assists
Notable Clubs: Botafogo, Fluminense, Real Madrid
Major Honours: FIFA World Cup (2), European Cup/UCL, Campeonato Carioca (3), Copa Rio
A footballing thinker long before the era of analysts, Waldyr Pereira, better known as Didi, reshaped how the game was played in the middle of the park.
Famous for scoring the very first goal at the Maracanã in 1950, his career went on to be defined by intelligence and grace. With Botafogo, Fluminense, and Real Madrid, he brought control and vision.
While playing for Brazil, Didi, who almost had his right leg amputated as a child, orchestrated victories in 1958 and 1962, earning admiration even from Pelé, who deemed him an idol. Didi’s legacy endures through his invention of the “knuckleball” free-kick.
7. Romário
Career: 1985–2008
International: 71 caps, 55 goals, 12 assists
Notable Clubs: PSV, Barcelona, Flamengo, Valencia
Major Honours: Eredivisie (3), Campeonato Brasileiro, La Liga and FIFA World Cup
Measured at just 5’6, Romário de Souza Faria embodied sharpness and lethal finishing. Nicknamed Baixinho (“The Little One”), he proved that size meant little when paired with supreme instinct.
At PSV Eindhoven and Barcelona, he piled up goals, tormenting defenders with quick movements and unerring accuracy. Internationally, he carried Brazil to the 1994 World Cup, netting decisive strikes en route to their triumph.
With 55 goals in 71 appearances for the Seleção, Romário was as clinical as they came, often scoring with a single touch. Romario found the net over 700 times for his clubs and country. His prolific record keeps him among the finest forwards Brazil has ever produced.
6. Jairzinho
Career: 1959–1984
International: 82 caps, 35 goals, 11 assists
Notable Clubs: Botafogo, Marseille, Cruzeiro
Major Honours: Campeonato Brasileiro, Primera División, and FIFA World Cup
Jairzinho, born in Rio de Janeiro, was the relentless force behind Brazil’s golden 1970 campaign. He was nicknamed “The Hurricane,” and his speed and adaptability allowed him to thrive anywhere across the frontline.
Garrincha was his idol, and once the legendary winger stepped away from international football, Jairzinho inherited that mantle with absolute conviction.
At the 1970 World Cup, he delivered a dazzling run of performances, scoring in every single match, right through to the final, as Brazil secured their third world title.
With Botafogo, he became an icon, yet his name will always be tied to the side considered the greatest international team in history. His ability to blend raw power with flair made him an irreplaceable figure in Brazilian football folklore.
5. Rivaldo
Career: 1992–2015
International: 76 caps, 35 goals, 17 assists
Notable Clubs: Barcelona (notably), other domestic clubs
Major Honours: La Liga (2), Brazilian Série A, Champions League, and FIFA World Cup
Angular in frame and deceptively awkward in gait, Rivaldo Vítor Borba Ferreira was a nightmare for defenders.
At Barcelona, his left foot delivered moments of genius, none more famous than his hat-trick against Valencia in 2001, capped by an overhead kick. For Brazil, he was part of the devastating trio with Ronaldo and Ronaldinho that delivered the 2002 World Cup.
Rivaldo’s Ballon d’Or in 1999 underlined his global standing. Combining dribbling, shooting, and strength, he provided balance between artistry and ruthlessness, making him one of the most complete attackers Brazil has ever known.
4. Ronaldinho
Career: 1998–2015
International: 97 caps, 33 goals, 29 assists
Notable Clubs: Barcelona, AC Milan, PSG
Major Honours: La Liga (2), Champions League, FIFA World Cup
Few players have brought joy to football as Ronaldinho did. Blessed with an eternal smile and unmatched flair, his approach to the game was pure theatre.
Tracing his progress from elastic dribbles to no-look passes, he elevated Barcelona to the summit of Europe and reignited global fascination with Brazilian artistry.
For the national team, he played a pivotal role in winning the 2002 World Cup, alongside Ronaldo and Rivaldo.
His unforgettable free-kick against England in the quarter-finals epitomised his daring nature. Some argue Ronaldinho could have extended his stay at the very top of European football, yet his impact on football’s culture is beyond question.
3. Garrincha
Career: 1953–1973
International: 50 caps, 12 goals, 8 assists
Notable Clubs: Botafogo, Corinthians, Atlético Junior, Flamengo
Major Honours: FIFA World Cup (2)
When Pelé was sidelined during the 1962 World Cup, Manuel Francisco dos Santos, better known as Garrincha, stepped forward.
Born in Pau Grande with bow legs and an unorthodox gait, Garrincha transformed what looked like limitations into weapons.
His unpredictable dribbling repeatedly left defenders flat-footed, turning matches into exhibitions of improvisation and flair.
Central to Brazil’s triumphs in the 1958 and 1962 World Cups, he carried the team through defining moments and became a symbol of joy in football. Remarkably, Brazil never lost a match when he and Pelé shared the pitch, which was a testament to the magic they created together.
With Botafogo, he became a legend, but it was his magic in yellow that immortalised him. To this day, Garrincha is remembered as the embodiment of football’s unpredictable beauty.
2. Ronaldo Nazário
Career: 1993–2011
International: 99 caps, 62 goals, 32 assists
Notable Clubs: Barcelona, Real Madrid, Inter Milan, AC Milan
Major Honours: FIFA World Cup, La Liga, KNVB Cup, UEFA Cup (Europa League),
“O El Niño é um fenômeno” changed what it meant to be a striker. Explosive acceleration, sublime control, and an eye for goal made Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima unstoppable in his prime.
Despite repeated injuries, he amassed 62 goals for Brazil in 99 caps, leading them to World Cup glory in 2002 with eight goals, including two in the final.
His time at Barcelona, Inter Milan, and Real Madrid showcased his devastating talent. Twice a Ballon d’Or winner, Ronaldo remains the prototype for the modern No. 9, which is a forward capable of terrorising defences with pace, power and precision.
1. Pelé
Career: 1956–1977
International: 92 caps, 77 goals, 38 assists
Clubs: Santos, New York Cosmos
Major Honours: FIFA World Cup (3), Campeonato Brasileiro (6), Copa Libertadores (2)
Edson Arantes do Nascimento, forever known as Pelé, transcended football.
At 17, he stunned the world at the 1958 World Cup, scoring six goals, including a semi-final hat-trick and a brace in the final.
By 1970, he had established himself as the only player to win three World Cups, guiding perhaps the finest team ever assembled.
Even now, he holds the record as the youngest goalscorer in World Cup history at 17 years and 239 days. At Santos, he dominated domestic and continental football, amassing over 1,000 goals in his career.
Pelé’s influence went beyond statistics. He was the sport’s first global superstar, an icon whose name remains synonymous with excellence in football.
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