Best Brazilian Attacking Midfielders of all time: Brazilian attacking midfielders have been captivating audiences for a long time with their unique style, blending samba rhythms and impressive footwork. These players are like magicians on the field, controlling the game, creating attacks, and scoring goals from seemingly impossible positions.
They excel in orchestrating team plays and showcasing individual moments of brilliance, leaving a lasting impact on the sport. This journey through time is a celebration of the legendary players who wore the iconic yellow jersey and changed the game with their audacious skills, incredible vision, and goals that seem almost unbelievable.
Best Brazilian Attacking Midfielders of all time
Let’s explore the world of the Best Brazilian Attacking Midfielders of all time in this article.
5. Juninho Paulista
- Date of Birth (Age): 22 February 1973 (50)
- Height: 1.65 m (5 ft 5 in)
- Position(s): Attacking midfielder
Let’s kick off our list of the “Best Attacking Midfielders from Brazil” with the fifth spot and it goes to Juninho Paulista. He plays as an attacking midfielder and is currently working as the national team coordinator for the Brazil football team.
Throughout his career, Juninho showcased his skills in various clubs, including São Paulo, Vasco da Gama, Palmeiras, Flamengo in Brazil, Middlesbrough in England, Atlético Madrid in Spain, Celtic in Scotland, and Sydney FC in Australia.
Juninho participated in 49 international matches for the Brazil national team from 1995 to 2003. He was part of the squad that won the 2002 FIFA World Cup and earned a bronze medal in the 1996 Olympic tournament. Juninho Paulista rightfully earns his place as one of the best Brazilian Attacking Midfielders of all time.
4. Rivellino
- Date of Birth (Age): 1 January 1946 (78)
- Height: 1.69 m (5 ft 7 in)
- Position(s): Attacking midfielder
In the fourth spot among the “Best Brazilian Attacking Midfielders,” is Rivellino. He was a key player in Brazil’s 1970 FIFA World Cup-winning team and is currently working as a pundit for Brazilian TV Cultura.
Rivellino, the son of Italian immigrants, was known for his distinctive large mustache, impressive free kicks, long-range shooting, precise long passing, exceptional vision, close ball control, and dribbling skills. He even introduced a football move the “flip flap,” which later became famous and imitated by Romário, Mágico González, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, and Cristiano Ronaldo.
As a former attacking midfielder, Rivellino is widely recognized as one of the most graceful football players ever and is considered one of the greatest players of all time. His close control, feints, and left-footed abilities inspired none other than Diego Maradona during his youth.
In 2004, Pelé included Rivellino in the FIFA 100 list of the world’s greatest living players. There’s no doubt that Rivellino deserves his esteemed place among the Best Brazilian Attacking Midfielders of all time.
3. Kaká
- Date of Birth (Age): 22 April 1982 (41)
- Height: 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)
- Position(s): Attacking midfielder
Kaká, securing the third spot among the “Best Brazilian Attacking Midfielders,” is consider as one of the greatest players of his generation. Praised for his effortless style, Kaká’s prime at AC Milan in the mid to late 2000s showcased his speed, agility, creativity, and scoring ability. Despite facing mobility challenges due to injuries at Real Madrid, his contributions at Milan and internationally, including winning the FIFA World Cup and the Ballon d’Or, solidify his status among the football elite.
Starting his professional journey at São Paulo, Kaká moved to AC Milan in 2003, helping them clinch the Serie A title in his first season. Notable achievements include being the top assist provider in the 2004–05 UEFA Champions League and leading Milan to victory in the 2006–07 UEFA Champions League. His versatility allowed him to play various attacking positions, earning acclaim for his vision, passing, and goal-scoring prowess.
Beyond the field, Kaká’s influence extends to humanitarian efforts, becoming the youngest ambassador of the UN World Food Programme in 2004. His impact off the pitch, coupled with his football excellence, earned him a spot on Time’s list of the world’s 100 most influential people in 2008 and 2009. In 2019, 90min.com recognized Kaká as number 43 in their list of “The 50 Greatest Footballers of All Time.”
2. Zico
- Date of Birth (Age): 3 March 1953 (70)
- Height: 1.72 m (5 ft 8 in)
- Position(s): Attacking midfielder
Ranked second among the “Best Brazilian Attacking Midfielders of all time” is the legendary Zico. Known as a classic number 10, Zico’s versatility allowed him to play various attacking and midfield positions. Despite his small stature, he was a two-footed player with remarkable flair, speed, technique, ball control, and dribbling skills. Zico was praised by former Dutch international Ruud Gullit as “one of the best dribblers in the history of the game.”
Often referred to as the “White Pelé,” Zico was celebrated for his creativity, technical skills, vision, and goal-scoring prowess. He was considered one of the most clinical finishers and best passers ever, earning a reputation as one of the greatest players of all time. His proficiency in free kicks, with the ability to bend the ball in all directions, set him apart as a playmaker and free-kick specialist.
Zico’s achievements include being named in the FIFA 100 list of the world’s greatest living players in 2004 and securing the seventh position in the FIFA Player of the Century grand jury vote in 1999. Despite not winning the World Cup with Brazil, he is widely regarded as the greatest Brazilian player to have ever achieved this feat. Despite injury setbacks, Zico’s nickname “O Galinho” (“The Little Rooster” in Portuguese) reflects his outstanding work ethic and dedication to the sport.
1. Rivaldo
- Date of Birth (Age): 19 April 1972 (51)
- Height: 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)
- Position(s): Forward, attacking midfielder
Rivaldo claims the top spot among the “Best Brazilian Attacking Midfielders” for his outstanding contributions on the field. Renowned for his elegance, skill, and creativity, Rivaldo’s dribbling ability, feints, balance, and close ball control made him a football icon. Adept at bending free kicks and powerful strikes from a distance, Rivaldo won the Ballon d’Or in 1999 and FIFA World Player of the Year, securing his place among the greatest players in history.
Starting his career in Brazil, Rivaldo made his mark in European football with Deportivo de La Coruña and Barcelona, forming a dynamic partnership with Patrick Kluivert. His unforgettable hat-trick against Valencia in 2001, sealing Barcelona’s UEFA Champions League qualification, remains a historic moment. With success at club and international levels, including victory in the 2002 FIFA World Cup, Rivaldo’s legacy is firmly established.
Rivaldo’s versatility as a goal-scorer and playmaker, whether as a classic number 10 or on the wing, showcased his vision and passing ability. Despite not being a true striker, he left an indelible mark on the game and holds a deserving place in the Brazilian Football Museum Hall of Fame.
