Best Brazilian soccer players 2024 ranked: Bad news for Vinicius, Can Neymar still compete?

Despite Brazil enduring over 2 decades without a World Cup trophy, it is impossible to deny their individual dominance. Even when critics label the current Selecao as one of the weakest in history, their stars continue to rule the world’s top leagues. National team coaches face a constant "headache" when selecting a squad because the talent pool is so vast. 

In the locker rooms of global giants like Barcelona and Real Madrid, the "Brazilian gang" holds the most influence. Icons such as Vinícius Júnior, Rodrygo Goes, Éder Militão, and Raphinha are not just players, they are the heartbeats of their clubs. Notably, in Real Madrid's 2 most recent Champions League titles, Vinícius scored in both finals, cementing his big-game reputation. 

More recently, in a historic European campaign for Paris Saint-Germain, captain Marquinhos proudly hoisted the Champions League trophy, bringing the "Big Ears" to Paris for the first time. Because this galaxy of stars is so bright, any ranking is bound to spark debate. Goaloomobi presents our attempt to rank the best Brazilian soccer players 2024/25, and we hope our readers enjoy this deep dive.

Ranking the best Brazilian soccer players 2024

10. Estêvão (Chelsea) 

The youngest sensation on this list, Estêvão, has taken the Premier League by storm since joining Chelsea from Palmeiras. His most iconic moment in England came with a late, clinical winner against Liverpool at Anfield, a performance that earned him the Player of the Match award. 

Previously at Palmeiras, he was a standout in the Copa Libertadores, scoring 3 goals in 4 games. Now at Chelsea for the 2025/26 campaign, he has already made 19 appearances and 2 goals in the Premier League.

9. Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal) 

After a turbulent 2024/25 season where he struggled with consistency, Martinelli has silenced his critics. In the previous campaign, he managed 10 goals and 6 assists in 47 appearances, including a stunning winner against Real Madrid at the Bernabéu. Having previously won the Olympic Gold and the FA Cup with Arsenal, he entered the 2025/26 season in red-hot form. Currently, he has already scored 7 goals in just 34 appearances this season, with 6 of those coming in a prolific Champions League group stage.

8. Éder Militão (Real Madrid) 

Militão remains the gold standard for modern defenders. Throughout his career at Porto and Madrid, he has won nearly every trophy available, including 2 Champions League titles. In the current 2025/26 season, he has played 16 matches across all competitions, maintaining a 94% passing accuracy.

7. Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle United) 

Bruno is the engine room of Newcastle. In 2024/25, he made 44 appearances, contributing 5 goals and 7 assists. His leadership was pivotal as he captained the Magpies to the Carabao Cup trophy, ending the club's 50-year wait for major silverware. Known for covering more ground than any other Premier League midfielder, he was the heartbeat of a side that secured European football. In the 2025/26 season, he remains indispensable with 34 appearances and a leadership role that makes him a target for every elite club in Europe.

6. Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain) 

Leading his team to a historic Champions League title, Marquinhos played 38 matches in the 2024/25 season, scoring 2 goals. He is now the most decorated player in French football history with 10 Ligue 1 titles. His composure and elite ball-playing ability from the back remain unmatched. 

5. Alisson Becker (Liverpool) 

Alisson continues to be the world's most reliable goalkeeper. During the 2024/25 campaign, he kept 15 clean sheets and recorded a 72% save rate across 42 matches, helping Liverpool challenge on all fronts. His distribution was key to Liverpool's transition play, often initiating attacks that led to goals. Despite a minor injury at the start of the 2025/26 season, he has returned to the lineup, conceding only 4 goals in his first 10 matches and maintaining his status as Brazil's number 1.

4. Rodrygo (Real Madrid) 

The "silent assassin" of Madrid had a productive 2024/25, scoring 13 goals and providing 7 assists in 44 games. While he faced stiff competition for minutes, his ability to score in the most high-pressure moments in the Champions League remains his calling card. A winner of 2 Champions League trophies by the age of 24, Rodrygo’s technical brilliance is world-class. 

3. Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal) 

Gabriel was arguably one of the best defenders in the Premier League right now. Playing 48 matches in the 2024/25 season, he scored 4 goals and was the leader of the league's meanest defense. His partnership with William Saliba was the foundation of Arsenal's success. He set a record for the most goals scored by a defender from corners in a single Premier League season. In the 2025/26 season, he has already appeared in 32 matches, scoring 4 times, proving his offensive threat is as potent as his defensive solidity.

2. Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid) 

The face of modern Brazilian flair, Vinícius was a contender for the Ballon d'Or after a 2024/25 season where he scored 19 goals and 11 assists. With multiple La Liga and Champions League titles at such a young age, he is already a legend. In the 2025/26 season, he has 13 goal contributions in 37 games, showing no signs of slowing down his quest for world dominance.

1. Raphinha (Barcelona) 

Taking the top spot is Raphinha, who was simply unstoppable in 2024/25. He recorded a staggering 50+ goal contributions for Barcelona, leading them to domestic glory. His hat-trick in the Champions League vs Bayern Munich was a masterclass in clinical finishing. 

Although Barcelona fell in the semi-finals, Raphinha’s individual numbers, 33 goals and 17 assists, were the best of his career. In the 2025/26 season, he has already scored 13 goals in 24 matches.

Summary of the top 10 Brazilian stars 2024:

Raphinha

Vinícius Júnior

Gabriel Magalhães

Rodrygo

Alisson Becker

Marquinhos

Bruno Guimarães

Éder Militão

Gabriel Martinelli

Estêvão

One could argue that no one could stop Raphinha during the 2024/25 season. It is perhaps the heartbreaking exit of Barcelona in the Champions League semi-finals that prevented him from beating Ousmane Dembele for the Ballon d'Or. Do you agree with Goaloomobi.net that Raphinha is the best Brazilian soccer player 2024/25?

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