When you think about Brazilian number 10s, what comes to your mind? Chances are, it is that dazzling skill, the playful flair of those unforgettable moments that make you believe in some magic of the game.
Right at the heart of this beautiful football tradition is that special jersey number 10. It is not just a jersey number; it’s the symbol of the creative genius that has graced the pitch for decades.
From the prominent figures who defined the golden ages of football to the modern-day stars who still light up the game, number 10 has belonged to some of the most remarkable talents in Brazilian football history.
Every one of them added something peculiar to the game while wearing that number; fans were left aghast, and their stamp was registered on the game.
In this article, we take a closer look at ten of Brazil’s greatest number 10s.
1. Pele
Any attempt to compile the list of the greatest number 10s of Brazil would not have just generational corroboration but even a face when considering that the original, standard-bearer, and man who changed football forever heads it.
Pele burst onto the scene as a 17-year-old at the 1958 World Cup, helping Brazil win their first-ever title. He went on to win two more in 1962 and 1970, becoming the only player in history to win three World Cups.
His penchant for getting goals, creating them, and leading his side was simply unprecedented, and many still have him down as one of the most influential figures the game has ever had. With 77 goals in 92 appearances, he is Brazil’s joint-top scorer alongside Neymar.
His legacy goes beyond the beautiful game: simply Brazil’s finest number 10, perhaps the greatest footballer to have ever played, his impact on the game both on and off the pitch is impossible to quantify.
For Pele did not just set the standard of what it means to be a great number 10 in Brazil, but he redefined it for generations to come.
2. Ronaldinho
He is a depiction of Brazilian flair. Nobody has ever played the beautiful game with the kind of joy, audacity, and unpredictability that Ronaldinho did.
At his peak, he was untouchable: the size of the smile on his face was the same as the gap between him and his nearest defender.
He came into the world spotlight in the 2002 World Cup, forming a deadly trio with Rivaldo and Ronaldo. Indeed, one of his most unforgettable moments of this competition was the free kick against David Seaman.
Ronaldinho changed the face of Barcelona in club football, leading them to unprecedented success and winning the Ballon d’Or in 2005.
The fall may have been as steep as the rise, but at his best, Ronaldinho was untouchable—a true wizard with the ball and one of Brazil’s finest-ever number 10s.
3. Zico
Zico goes down as one of the greatest-ever footballers and would be referred to as “The White Pele.” His technical ability, vision, and goalscoring prowess made him one of the greatest players of his generation, despite never winning the World Cup.
One of the best sides never to lift the trophy contains Zico as the heartbeat of Brazil’s iconic 1982 team.
It made him a unique number 10 because he could operate in deeper positions and still find the net regularly. Nobody could play make and lead on the pitch like him for most of his playing days, especially at Flamengo, where he became a club legend.
International glory evaded him, but Zico’s impact on Brazilian football can still be felt today. His intelligence and creativity opened up avenues for future number 10s who would follow in his lead.
4. Rivaldo
Underrated when it comes to discussing the best-ever players Brazil has had, his achievements and displays on the pitch do a lot of talking. A specialist in the spectacular, Rivaldo could net from anywhere, usually using his lethal left foot to maximum effect.
Put that alongside his combination with Ronaldo and Ronaldinho at the 2002 World Cup, when the magic happened as Brazil swept to their fifth title. His contributions were key—from his goals to his assists—in ensuring that he is remembered as one of the most complete number 10s in Brazilian football.
His success was not limited to the national team alone, as in 1999, he won the Ballon d’Or after a tremendous season with Barcelona.
That sealed his status among the elite of football. Added to that fact is the theatrical moment against Turkey during the 2002 World Cup, which for all the wrong reasons garnered headlines—no one can ever deny the brilliance of Rivaldo on the pitch.
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5. Neymar
From the beginning, Neymar was a talent primed for greatness. Coming onto the scene at Santos, Neymar’s electric pace, trickery, and finishing ability made him the poster boy of a new generation of Brazilian football.
Though comparisons to Pele are perhaps a little premature, Neymar has certainly done enough to cement his position as one of Brazil’s finest No. 10s.
He stands with 75 international goals, and he is on the cusp of overtaking Pele as Brazil’s all-time top scorer. The one thing missing, however, is a World Cup title—a prize many believe will define his legacy.
Nevertheless, he has been the face of Brazilian football for over a decade, carrying expectations just like so many others before him have done.
6. Kaka
Kaka won the Ballon d’Or in 2007 after an incredible streak of performances for AC Milan as they won the Champions League.
For Brazil, Kaká was one of the most feared number 10s in the modern game, thanks to his mix of finesse, vision, and destructive runs from midfield. He was part of the 2002 World Cup-winning squad, although his best years for the Selecao came thereafter.
But though he never won another World Cup, Kaká’s performances in the yellow jersey meant he earned a spot among the elite of Brazilian talent.
He was Brazil’s last great traditional playmaker—a position changed in modern times—but one which Kaka did with aplomb and efficiency.
7. Rivellino
With his bushy mustache and inimitable flair, Rivellino epitomized Brazilian football’s “beautiful game.”
While many people attribute the invention of the “flip-flap” move to Ronaldinho, he was the master of it, breezing past bamboozled opponents by the sheer speed that his feet moved and outrageous skills.
Part of the all-conquering 1970 Brazil squad, arguably the finest national team ever assembled, Rivellino’s contribution was critical.
While he had worn the number 11 in that World Cup, he usually used the number 10 in other matches while representing Brazil.
And every time he did, something in his play would seem to rise to yet another level. His mastery over the ball and his ability to produce moments of magic out of nothing made him a feared opponent and a beloved player in Brazil.
Though never the star of the team, Rivellino’s presence made Brazil’s attack one of the most feared in history.
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8. Jair
Before Brazil became one of the most powerful football nations in the world, there was plenty of talent. Among them was Jair Rosa Pinto, a member of the team that won for Brazil the 1949 South American Championship.
His nine goals scored in that championship, remain a record, shared by a select few other luminaries. Now, playing at home, Jair’s finishing skills were supposed to see the country win their first World Cup in 1950.
That infamous “Maracanazo” ultimately saw Brazil lose to Uruguay in that final, but Jair was brilliant.
His intelligent play and ability to score from a distance were a hallmark of his game, and though his international career ended on a bitter note, Jair was one of Brazil’s most influential early number 10s, setting the stage for future generations.
9. Rai
In the early 90s, Brazilian football was awash with talent, but few personified the beautiful game quite like Rai.
As the on-field mastermind behind São Paulo’s Tele Santana-led golden generation, Raí’s games were the stuff of legend—particularly that Intercontinental Cup final from 1992 where he tore apart Johan Cruyff’s all-conquering Barcelona ‘Dream Team’.
His vision, control, and attacking prowess earned him a move to Paris Saint-Germain, where he became a cult hero. Even today, fans of PSG sing his name, remembering the exploits of a time in which the club was still in the throes of finding their European glory.
At the international level for Brazil, Rai’s career was impressive, if a little unappreciated due to the looming shadow of an older brother in Socrates. However, he made his mark well-known during the 1994 World Cup, helping Brazil lift their fourth title.
Rai is perhaps not as long-lived compared to some others on this list with 49 caps and 17 goals, but in terms of contribution to club and country, he easily places among Brazil’s greatest number 10s.
10. Juninho Paulista
Juninho Paulista was by no means the biggest player on the pitch, but in terms of technical ability and footballing intelligence, he more than made up for it.
A product of the famous São Paulo academy, he soon became a national favorite in Brazil before taking most people by surprise and joining Middlesbrough. Billed as “The Little Fella,” Juninho immediately wooed fans with his ability to skillfully dribble the football, quick feet, and an eye for goal.
He reached new heights with Middlesbrough across his two spells and took them as far as a League Cup triumph.
Though his club career stretched across the five continents of Europe, Spain, and Australia, his real moments of magic came in the famous yellow of Brazil.
Throughout an eight-year international career, he occasionally wore the number 10 jersey and always conformed to the billing.
His free kick was as good as his namesake, Juninho Pernambucano, which again added to his overall repertoire. The weight of the jersey never bothered Paulista as he always came out strong under pressure.
