10 best Brazil strikers of all time: The father of the bicycle kick, No place for Neymar?

Brazil is not the nation that invented football, nor do they claim to be the official "home of football," but with 5 World Cup titles, they are undoubtedly the sport’s ultimate cathedral. In this South American giant, every beach and street serves as a pitch, and almost every child is born with a natural devotion to the beautiful game. 

Consequently, the country has never faced a shortage of talent In fact, there is often an abundance of world-class attackers. The artistic flair flowing through their veins allows Brazilian players to attack with a grace that few others can match. 

Selecting and ranking these legends is a challenging task that often sparks controversy, but Goaloomobi hopes this list of the ten best Brazil strikers of all time will satisfy every passionate reader.

The 10 best Brazil strikers of all time

10. Leonidas da Silva

Known as the "Black Diamond," Leonidas was the first global superstar of Brazilian football. Active from 1929 to 1951, he is widely credited with inventing or at least popularizing the bicycle kick. He played for prestigious clubs like Botafogo, Vasco da Gama, Flamengo, and Sao Paulo. At Flamengo (1193-1941), he became an icon, scoring 153 goals in 149 matches. 

For the national team, his record was staggering: 21 goals in just 19 appearances. He was the top scorer of the 1938 World Cup with 7 goals, leading Brazil to third place. After retiring in 1951 at age 38, he became a beloved radio commentator before passing away in 2004.

9. Jairzinho

A pivotal figure in the legendary 1970 squad, Jairzinho possessed a rare blend of speed and technical brilliance. Over 19 years at Botafogo (1959-1974), he scored 186 goals in 413 matches, succeeding Garrincha as the club's idol. He also had stints at Marseille and Cruzeiro, winning the Copa Libertadores with the latter in 1976.

For Brazil, "The Hurricane" earned 81 caps and scored 33 goals. His greatest feat came in the 1970 World Cup, where he set a unique record by scoring in every single match of the tournament (7 goals total) to secure Brazil's third title. He retired in 1982 at 38 and later became a manager, famously discovering Ronaldo Nazario.

8. Rivaldo

The 1999 Ballon d’Or winner was a master of the "one-footed" technique, using his left foot to terrorize defenders. Rivaldo's peak came at Barcelona (1997-2002), where he scored 130 goals in 235 games and won two La Liga titles. He was a cornerstone of the 2002 World Cup winning team, scoring 5 goals in the tournament. Known for his strength and clinical finishing, he was often described by experts as the closest player to Diego Maradona. 

7. Bebeto

Bebeto was the embodiment of clinical finishing and intelligence. He is best remembered for his time at Deportivo La Coruna (1992-1996), where he scored 86 goals in 131 La Liga matches and won the Pichichi Trophy. For the Selecao, he formed a lethal partnership with Romario, scoring 39 goals in 75 matches. He won the 1994 World Cup, famously celebrating a goal against Holland with a "cradle-swinging" gesture. Bebeto also won the 1989 Copa America. 

6. Ronaldinho

Perhaps the most skillful player to ever grace the pitch, Ronaldinho made football look like a dance. His prime years at Barcelona (2003-2008) saw him score 94 goals in 207 matches, winning 2 FIFA World Player of the Year awards and the 2005 Ballon d'Or. He inspired a generation with his "Joga Bonito" style.

He also won the World Cup in 2002, Copa America in 1999, and the Confederations Cup in 2005 with Brazil. He officially retired in 2018 at 37 and now serves as a global ambassador for football and his former clubs.

5. Zico

Often called the "White Pele," Zico is arguably the greatest player never to win a World Cup. A Flamengo legend, he scored 508 goals in 732 matches for the club across two spells, winning four Brazilian titles and the 1981 Copa Libertadores. He was a free-kick specialist and a supreme playmaker. For Brazil, he scored 48 goals in 71 matches. Despite the 1982 team being hailed as one of the greatest ever, they fell short against Italy. He retired in 1994 at 41 after a stint in Japan and currently works as a technical director for Kashima Antlers.

4. Romario

Romario was a "cartoon character" in the penalty area, unpredictable and deadly. He claimed to have scored over 1,000 goals in his career. He was the hero of the 1994 World Cup, winning the Golden Ball and scoring 5 goals as Brazil lifted the trophy. With 55 goals in 70 caps, he remains one of the most efficient scorers in history. Johan Cruyff once called him the "genius of the penalty area." 

3. Garrincha

"The Angel with Bent Legs" was the soul of Brazilian football. He spent the majority of his career at Botafogo (1953-1965), scoring 232 goals. When Pele was injured in 1962, Garrincha took over, leading Brazil to World Cup glory and winning both the Golden Ball and Golden Boot. He was the ultimate entertainer, known for his impossible dribbling. For Brazil, he lost only one match in 50 appearances. He retired in 1972 and tragically passed away in 1983 at age 49.

2. Ronaldo Nazario

"O Fenomeno" redefined the role of a striker with his terrifying speed and power. Despite career-threatening knee injuries, he scored 62 goals in 98 matches for Brazil. He won the World Cup in 1994 and 2002, where he scored 8 goals, including 2 in the final. At club level, he shone for PSV, Barcelona, Inter Milan, and Real Madrid. In his single season at Barcelona (1996/97), he scored 47 goals in 49 games. He won the Ballon d'Or twice (1997, 2002). He retired in 2011 at 34 and is now a successful businessman and club owner.

1. Pele

The king remains at the summit. Pele is the only player to win 3 World Cups (1958, 1962, 1970). For Santos (1956-1974), he scored 643 goals in 659 official matches, winning 25 major trophies including 2 Copa Libertadores. He was the youngest World Cup winner and scorer.

He retired in 1977 at 37 after a stint with the New York Cosmos. Until his death in 2022, he remained the global face of football.

Ranking 10 best Brazil forwards in history: 

1. Pele 

2. Ronaldo Nazario

3. Garrincha

4. Romario

5. Zico

6. Ronaldinho

7. Bebeto

8. Rivaldo

9. Jairzinho

10. Leonidas da Silva

Goaloomobi.net hopes that at the upcoming 2026 World Cup, Neymar will have the final chance to wear the prestigious yellow jersey and create a miracle on American soil. At 34, his career only lacks a World Cup title to be truly complete. If he can lead Brazil to their sixth star, the former Al Hilal star will certainly enter the list of 10 best Brazil strikers of all time.

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