The 10 Top Goal Scorers for the Brazil Football Team All Time

Top Goal Scorers for the Brazil Football Team All Time: Brazil really loves football, and it shows in their streets. They have produced some of the best soccer players ever, and many players from Brazil go on to play around the world. The Brazilian national soccer team is always a strong contender to win international titles like the World Cup and Copa América.

Brazil has won more World Cups than any other country, and they’ve done really well in Copa América too. They’re crazy about football, and it’s no wonder they’ve achieved so much success.

Top Goal Scorers for the Brazil Football Team All Time

Now, let’s talk about some of the Top Goal Scorers for the Brazil Football Team All Time. In a country full of soccer legends, these players have stood out over different eras.

1. Neymar

• Career Span: 2010–present
• Matches: 126
• Goals: 79
• Average: 0.63

Neymar Junior is an incredibly talented football player who has captured the hearts of fans since his early days at Santos, through his time with Barcelona, PSG, and now at Al Hilal. Many consider him to be the most skilled player of the past decade.

He’s 31 years old and has scored 79 goals while representing the Brazilian national team. One of his most memorable moments in a Brazil jersey was winning the gold medal at the Rio Olympic Games in 2016. In Europe, Neymar helped their teams to win many domestic leagues. He’s known for his impressive playmaking abilities, dribbling skills, tricks, creativity, vision, passing, and goal-scoring.

What’s even more remarkable is that at just 31 years old, Neymar has surpassed Pelé’s goal-scoring record to become the all-time leading goal scorer for the Brazilian national soccer team.

2. Pelé

• Career Span: 1957–1971
• Matches: 92
• Goals: 77
• Average: 0.84

Pelé is a true football legend, often considered the greatest player ever. He was exceptional both physically and skill-wise, maintaining his elite performance for more than 15 years. His records still stand today, and his impact on football fans spans generations.

Pelé is most famous for his achievements with the Brazilian national team. He became the youngest player to win a World Cup in 1958 and went on to win the World Cup again in 1962 and 1970. This made him the only player in history to win the World Cup three times. His numerous goals and incredible skills during these tournaments solidified his legendary status. Pelé rightfully holds the top spot as one of the greatest Brazilian players in history.

3. Ronaldo

• Career Span: 1994–2011
• Matches: 98
• Goals: 62
• Average: 0.63

In the debate about the best forward in soccer history, Ronaldo, also known as ‘O Fenómeno,’ truly dazzled the world with his incredible talent and achieved success everywhere he played. His remarkable performance in the 1999 Copa América, where he was named Most Valuable Player, marked the beginning of a series of international triumphs.

Ronaldo’s performance in the 2002 World Cup is one of the most memorable in tournament history. Not only did he score eight goals (earning the top scorer title), but his overall play was of such high quality that he seemed on a different level than his competitors.

Ronaldo was a highly self-sufficient player, known for his ability to create scoring opportunities and find the back of the net. He outpaced defenders with his dribbling skills and acceleration and possessed great physical strength to hold onto the ball.

4. Romário

• Career Span: 1987–2005
• Matches: 70
• Goals: 55
• Average: 0.79

Romário is undeniably one of Brazil’s greatest strikers ever. He was a highly unpredictable player on the field, known for his goal-scoring ability in various situations. His exceptional technical skills allowed him to create scoring opportunities, even against strong defenses. Romário’s numerous goals have solidified his status as one of the top goal-scorers in football history.

In the international arena, Romário participated in the 1990 World Cup, although Brazil was eliminated in the round of 16. However, his moment of glory came four years later when he scored five goals during the 1994 World Cup, helping Brazil secure the championship. He was even named the tournament’s best player. Despite missing the 1998 World Cup due to injury, Romário is still regarded as one of the greatest Brazilian players in history.

5. Zico

• Career Span: 1976–1986
• Matches: 71
• Goals: 48
• Average: 0.68

Zico, an attacking midfielder known for his creativity, had a significant impact on Flamengo and the Brazilian national team. He wasn’t just about individual skill; his excellent passing abilities made his teammates better, making him an essential part of the team. Zico played a pivotal role in organizing offensive plays with his exceptional vision of the game. He was also renowned for his expertise in taking free kicks and his goal-scoring efficiency.

Zico participated in three World Cups with Brazil between 1978 and 1986 but never managed to win the trophy. Despite his impressive performances, including 48 goals in 71 matches, he couldn’t lead his team past third place in 1978. Thanks to his decade-long contribution, Zico is still regarded as one of the greatest Brazilian players of all time.

6. Bebeto

• Career Span: 1985–1998
• Matches: 75
• Goals: 39
• Average: 0.52

Bebeto was born on February 16, 1964, in Salvador da Bahía, Bahia State. He was recognized as South America’s Footballer of the Year in 1989. In 1988, Bebeto represented Brazil at the Summer Olympics in South Korea and earned a silver medal. The following year, he played a crucial role in Brazil winning the Copa América, becoming the top scorer in the tournament with five goals. Bebeto also participated in his first of three World Cups in 1990, where he scored twice during the qualifiers. However, Brazil was eliminated by Argentina in the round of 16.

The pinnacle of Bebeto’s career came in the 1994 World Cup held in the USA when he helped Brazil become world champions. During the qualifying rounds, Bebeto contributed five of Brazil’s 20 goals. In the World Cup, he formed a potent offensive partnership with Romario, playing in a 4-4-2 system. Bebeto played in every game and scored three goals.

In 1996, at the Olympic Games in Atlanta, Bebeto won a bronze medal and was the tournament’s top scorer alongside Argentina’s Hernán Crespo. A year later, Brazil secured victory in the 1997 FIFA Confederations Cup, although Bebeto had been replaced in the attack by the emerging superstar Ronaldo. At the 1998 World Cup, Bebeto played regularly due to Romario’s injury. Brazil reached the final but lost to hosts France. Bebeto scored three times during the tournament. In total, he netted 39 goals in 75 international matches, making him the sixth-highest goal scorer in the history of the Brazilian national team.

7. Rivaldo

• Career Span: 1993–2003
• Matches: 74
• Goals: 35
• Average: 0.47

Rivaldo is a unique talent in the world of soccer, and anyone who hasn’t heard of him has missed out on something special. He made his mark as a talented forward, particularly during his time with FC Barcelona, where he is regarded as a legend and an idol. During his time as a “culé,” he earned the prestigious Ballon d’Or award in 1999 and was widely considered the best player in the world by various experts in the field.

On the international stage, Rivaldo ranks as the seventh-highest scorer for the Brazilian national team, with 35 goals in 74 appearances. He was part of the Brazilian team during the golden years of the early 2000s and is considered one of the greatest Brazilian players of all time.

Rivaldo achieved remarkable success with the national team, including winning the Copa América in 1999 and the World Cup in 2002. Furthermore, he secured the UEFA Champions League title with AC Milan in 2003.

8. Jairzinho

• Career Span: 1964–1982
• Matches: 81
• Goals: 33
• Average: 0.41

Jairzinho is one of those legendary Brazilian footballers who may not be widely known in Europe, despite a brief period with Marseille. He was a versatile forward who could play in various attacking positions, but he was often positioned on the right wing. Jairzinho possessed incredible speed, exceptional dribbling skills, and a powerful shot, making him a perfect striker.

On the international stage, Jairzinho participated in three World Cups, including the 1970 tournament. He was part of a legendary Brazilian team and played a crucial role in their victory, scoring in every match of the tournament, totaling 7 goals. However, in 1974, Brazil had a different team, and they could only manage a fourth-place finish in the World Cup.

9. Ronaldinho

• Career Span: 1999–2013
• Matches: 97
• Goals: 33
• Average: 0.34

Ronaldinho is undoubtedly one of the finest Brazilian players of the 21st century, known for his unpredictable attacking style and incredible dribbling skills. His creativity, precision, and speed make him not only an excellent passer but also an extremely effective scorer. He’s a true master of dribbling and is considered one of the best dribblers in the history of the sport.

On the international stage, Ronaldinho won the U17 World Cup and the Copa América in 1999, marking his early success in major international tournaments. During the 2002 World Cup, he formed a formidable attacking trio with Ronaldo and Rivaldo, which powered Brazil to its fifth world title. Ronaldinho is cherished not only for his exceptional skills but also for embodying the joy of football. He will always be remembered as one of the greatest Brazilian players of all time.

10. Ademir

• Career Span: 1945–1953
• Matches: 39
• Goals: 32
• Average: 0.82

Ademir Marques de Menezes scored a total of 32 goals in 39 appearances for Brazil between 1945 and 1953, according to RSSSF. This puts him in 10th place on Brazil’s all-time goalscoring list.

Ademir is best known for his exploits at the 1950 FIFA World Cup, where he won the Golden Boot award as the tournament’s top scorer with nine goals. He also helped Brazil reach the final, where they lost to Uruguay in the infamous Maracanazo.

Ademir also enjoyed success in the Copa América. He played in the 1945, 1946, 1949, and 1953 editions of the tournament, with 13 goals and 3 assists in 18 appearances in the competition, including a tournament-winning hat-trick in the final play-off against Paraguay in 1949. He also won the Panamerican Championship with Brazil in 1952 scoring two goals in the title match against Chile. In total, Ademir played 39 times for his country, scoring 32 goals (according to RSSSF) between 1945 and 1953.