Famous Brazilian Sportspersons
Right IconThis ranking is based on an algorithm that combines various factors, including the votes of our users and search trends on the internet.
Extravagant carnivals, sumptuous food, deep-religious seat and scintillating landscapes beautifully define Brazil for tourists and travellers alike. The land of Christ the Redeemer, Brazil has been the potpourri of cultures, traditions and heritage. However, there is lot more to this ethically rich nation – Brazil has been the address of several well-known scientists, film stars, litterateurs, political heroes, activists and sports personnel. Talking about sports, the favourable climate of the country has helped it establish a significant sporting culture. Right from football to martial arts, tennis to basketball, motorsports to volleyball or rugby to boxing, Brazilians have excelled in all forms of sports, leaving an indelible mark on the modern world. Soccer or football remains the top favourite sport of the country. A number of well-known football players hail from the country including Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Pele, Kaka and Adriano. Volleyball is the next loved sport of the country. A world champion in beach volleyball, Brazilian volleyball players have won gold several times in Olympics. Furthermore, Brazilians have excelled in motorsports as well, having eminent names like Ayrton Senna, Rubens Barrichello, Bruno Senna, Felipe Massa and Lucas Di Grassi breaking major records and wining more than 100 Formula One races. Check this segment to learn in details about the life and profile of Brazilian sportsperson.
Vote for Your Favourite Brazilian Sportspersons
1
Neymar(Brazilian Professional Football Player Who Plays as a Forward)
Birthdate: February 5, 1992
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: State of São Paulo, Brazil
Amongst the best football players in the world presently, Neymar is a part of Brazil national team and French club Paris Saint-Germain. The prolific goal scorer debuted with Santos and played for Barcelona before joining PSG in a deal that made him the world’s most expensive player. He led Brazil national team to its first Olympic gold medal in 2016.
2
Pele(One of the Greatest Football Players of All Time)
Birthdate: October 23, 1940
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Tres Coracoes, Brazil
Brazilian football legend Edson Arantes do Nascimento, better known as Pele, was named the Football Player of the Century by the IFFHS. He called football “The Beautiful Game” and was one of the world’s highest-paid athlete for a while. His 1279 goals in 1363 games is a Guinness World Record.
3
Ronaldinho(Brazilian Retired Professional Football Player Who Played as an Attacking Midfielder)
Birthdate: March 21, 1980
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Porto Alegre, State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Regarded as one of the best football players of all time, Ronaldinho played a crucial role in Brazil’s victory in 2002 FIFA World Cup. Later, he helped FC Barcelona win two La Liga and a UEFA Champions League title. The two time FIFA world Player of the Year, who retired in 2018, was known for his technical skills and creativity.
4
Ronaldo
(Brazilian Retired Professional Footballer Who Played as a Striker)
Birthdate: September 18, 1976
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Rio de Janeiro, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima is a Brazilian retired professional footballer who played as a striker. Widely considered one of the greatest players of all time, he played for Brazil in 98 matches, scoring 62 goals. He was named FIFA World Player of the Year three times. He retired in 2011 and has since established himself as a successful businessperson.
Birthdate: April 14, 1975
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: São Paulo, State of São Paulo, Brazil
Brazilian MMA legend Anderson Silva began learning Taekwondo at 12. He holds the record of the longest reign by any UFC title-holder, being the middleweight champion from 2006 to 2013, and also has a record of 16 consecutive wins. He also has black belts in multiple martial art forms.
6
Kaká(Brazilian Former Professional Football Payer Who Played as an Attacking Midfielder)
Birthdate: April 22, 1982
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Gama, Federal District, Brazil
Regarded as one of the best footballers of his generation, Kaká is a Brazilian retired football player. He is one of eight footballers to have won the Ballon d'Or, the UEFA Champions League, and the FIFA World Cup. Also known for his humanitarian work, Kaká has been working with the United Nations, as part of its World Food Programme initiative.
7
Rivaldo(Brazilian Former Football Player Who Played as an Attacking Midfielder)
Birthdate: April 19, 1972
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: State of Pernambuco, Brazil
Brazilian former footballer Rivaldo is known for his powerful strikes and has had successful stints with the clubs Barcelona and Milan. He is the seventh-highest goal-scorer for Brazil and was part of the 2002 FIFA World Cup-winning team. Post-retirement, he appeared in the film I Am Not Salvador.
8
Charles Oliveira
(Mixed martial artist)
Birthdate: October 17, 1989
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Guarujá Guarujá, São Paulo, Brazil
9
Roberto Carlos(Brazilian Former Professional Football Player Who Played as a Left-Back)
Birthdate: April 10, 1973
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Garça, São Paulo, Brazil
A major force behind Brazil’s World Cup win in 2002, Roberto Carlos was born into a poor peasant family and grew up working on his family farm. He soared to fame during his 11-season stint with Real Madrid, winning four La Liga titles and three UEFA Champions Leagues with them.
10
Dani Alves
(Brazilian Professional Footballer Who Plays as a Right-Back)
Birthdate: May 6, 1983
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Juazeiro, State of Bahia, Brazil
Dani Alves is a Brazilian professional footballer. He currently plays as a right-back for La Liga club Barcelona and the Brazil national team. He is widely considered one of the greatest full-backs of all time. With 46 titles at the senior level and 47 official titles overall, he is the most decorated player in the history of football.
11
Romário(One of the Greatest Football Players of All Time)
Birthdate: January 29, 1966
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Rio de Janeiro, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
One of the most prolific goal scorers in the history of football, Romario has had an engaging and electric presence both on and off field. He starred in Brazil's 1994 FIFA World Cup triumph and was named the Player of The Tournament, earning a Golden Ball. He later turned to politics after he bid adieu to the field.
12
Alisson
(Brazilian Professional Footballer Who Plays as a Goalkeeper)
Birthdate: October 2, 1992
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Novo Hamburgo, Brazil
13
Ayrton Senna(One of the Greatest F1 Drivers in the History of the Sport)
Birthdate: March 21, 1960
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: São Paulo, Brazil
Died: May 1, 1994
Ayrton Senna was a Brazilian racing driver. Widely considered one of the greatest F1 drivers of all time, Ayrton had won the prestigious F1 World Drivers' Championship thrice. Following his fatal accident in 1994, several safety improvements were introduced to the sports' set-up; higher crash safety standards, redesigned tracks, and improved crash barriers became part of the sport.
14
Fabrício Werdum
(Brazilian Mixed Martial Artist)
Birthdate: July 30, 1977
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Porto Alegre, State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
15
Rickson Gracie
(Mixed martial artist)
Birthdate: November 21, 1958
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Rio de Janeiro, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
16
Felipe Massa
(Brazilian Formula 1 Driver Who Competed in 15 Seasons between 2002 and 2017)
Birthdate: April 25, 1981
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: São Paulo, Brazil
Felipe Massa is a Brazilian racing driver who participated in Formula One from 2002 to 2017, during which he gained 11 Grand Prix victories. In 2006, he became the first Brazilian after Ayrton Senna da Silva to win the Brazilian Grand Prix.
17
Rubens Barrichello
(Racing Driver Who Competed in Formula One Between 1993 and 2011)
Birthdate: May 23, 1972
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: São Paulo, Brazil
Rubens Barrichello is a Brazilian racing driver best known for competing in Formula One and scoring 11 Grand Prix wins between 1993 and 2011. From 2000 to 2005, he drove for Ferrari as Michael Schumacher's teammate and contributed to five constructors' titles for Ferrari.
Birthdate: February 19, 1986
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Dois Riachos, Alagoas, Brazil
19
Nelson Piquet
(Brazilian Retired Racing Driver and Businessman)
Birthdate: August 17, 1952
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Rio de Janeiro, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
While he initially excelled in tennis, Nelson Piquet later made a name for himself as one of Brazil’s top racers. A 3-time world champion, the Formula One star later also ventured into business. He owned a GPS-tracking company and also launched the racing team Piquet Sports.
20
Garrincha
(Football player)
Birthdate: October 28, 1933
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Pau Grande, Magé, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Died: January 20, 1983
21
Emerson Fittipaldi
(Brazilian Formula One Racing Champion in 1972 and 1974)
Birthdate: December 12, 1946
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: São Paulo, Brazil
Emerson Fittipaldi is a Brazilian retired racing driver best known for winning both the Indianapolis 500 and the Formula One World Championship twice each. In 1972, he won the World Drivers' Championship at the age of 25, becoming the youngest F1 world champion. In 2001, Emerson Fittipaldi was made an inductee of the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America.
22
Philippe Coutinho(Brazilian Professional Football Player Who Plays as an Attacking Midfielder and Winger)
Birthdate: June 12, 1992
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Brazilian footballer, Phillipe Coutinho, is hailed as one of the most talented midfielders and playmakers in the world. He has been a key player for Premier League clubs like Inter Milan, Liverpool, FC Barcelona and Bayern Munich. He was a member of the Brazilian national team that won the 2019 Copa America.
23
Marcelo
(Brazilian Professional Footballer Who Plays as a Left-Back)
Birthdate: May 12, 1988
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Rio de Janeiro, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Brazilian footballer Marcelo Vieira, who now captains the Spanish club Real Madrid, is known as one of the world’s best left-backs. The Rio-born football star has previously had a successful stint with the Brazilian club Fluminense. He also won Brazil a team bronze and a team silver at the Olympics.
24
Gabriel Jesus
(Football player)
Birthdate: April 3, 1997
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Sao Paulo, Brazil
25
Thiago Silva
(Brazilian Professional Footballer Who Plays as a Centre-Back)
Birthdate: September 22, 1984
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Rio de Janeiro, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Thiago Silva is a Brazilian professional footballer. He plays as a center-back for Premier League club Chelsea and the Brazil national team. He is counted among the best central defenders of his generation. He began playing football as a teenager and had a brilliant youth career. He made his international debut in 2008 and has appeared in seven major tournaments.
26
Casemiro
(Association football player)
Birthdate: February 23, 1992
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: São José dos Campos
27
David Luiz
(Brazilian Professional Football Player Who Plays as a Centre-back)
Birthdate: April 22, 1987
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Diadema, Brazil
David Luiz is a Brazilian professional footballer. He currently plays for the Brazilian sports club Flamengo. He is primarily a center-back, but he can also play as a defensive midfielder. Since making his full international debut for Brazil in 2010, he has earned over 50 caps for his country. He also co-owns an Italian restaurant.
Birthdate: August 9, 1988
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Ribeirão Pires, Brazil
29
Zico
(Brazilian Retired Footballer and One of the Most Clinical Finishers and Best Passers Ever)
Birthdate: March 3, 1953
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Zico is a Brazilian former football player renowned for his excellent technical skills. Counted among the best passers and finishers of all time, Zico was often called the White Pelé. Zico is also counted among the greatest players of all time and is widely regarded as one of the best free kick specialists in history.
30
Hulk(Brazilian Professional Football Player Who Plays as a Forward)
Birthdate: July 25, 1986
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Campina Grande, Paraiba
Givanildo Vieira de Sousa, better known as Hulk due to his strong built, is a Brazilian football player. He is currently one of the most important members of the Shanghai SIPG F.C., which competes in the Chinese Super League. Also a key player for Brazil, Hulk helped his national team win the silver medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics.
31
Richarlison
(Association football player)
Birthdate: May 10, 1997
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Nova Venécia, Brazil
Birthdate: March 5, 1993
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Belo Horizonte, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil
33
Hélio Castroneves
(Racecar driver)
Birthdate: May 10, 1975
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: São Paulo, Brazil
Brazilian racing driver Hélio Castroneves is a 4-time winner of the Indianapolis 500. Though accused of tax evasion once, he was eventually acquitted the charge. He has also been part of the show Dancing with the Stars and gained the nickname Spider-Man for his unique way of celebrating one of his track victories.
Birthdate: September 9, 1991
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Americana, São Paulo, Brazil
35
Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira
(Brazilian Retired Mixed Martial Artist)
Birthdate: June 2, 1976
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Vitória da Conquista, Brazil
36
Fabinho
(Association football player)
Birthdate: October 23, 1993
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Campinas, Brazil
37
Renan Barão
(Mixed martial artist)
Birthdate: January 31, 1988
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Natal, State of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
38
Douglas Costa
(Association football player)
Birthdate: September 14, 1990
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Sapucaia do Sul
Birthdate: August 17, 1993
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Osasco, State of São Paulo, Brazil
40
José Aldo(One of the Best Mixed Martial Artists of All-Time)
Birthdate: September 9, 1986
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Manaus, State of Amazonas, Brazil
MMA fighter José Aldo is best known for his UFC Featherweight Championship win in 2010, a title he defended seven times. In 2014, his win against Cad Mendes was termed the Fight of the Year by many organizations. By 2020, he was ranked 6th in the UFC Bantamweight rankings.
41
Raphinha
(Footballer Winger)
Birthdate: December 14, 1996
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Porto Alegre, Brazil
42
Gustavo Kuerten
(Tennis player)
Birthdate: September 10, 1976
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Florianópolis, Brazil
43
Junior dos Santos
(Mixed martial artist)
Birthdate: January 30, 1984
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Caçador, State of Santa Catarina, Brazil
44
Vitor Belfort
(Mixed Martial Artist Who Competes in the Heavyweight, Middleweight Divisions)
Birthdate: April 1, 1977
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
45
Gabriel Martinelli
(Footballer Forward)
Birthdate: June 18, 2001
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Guarulhos, Brazil
Birthdate: February 17, 1982
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Rio de Janeiro
47
Amanda Nunes
(Brazilian Professional Mixed Martial Artist Widely Regarded as the Greatest Female Mixed Martial Artist of All Time)
Birthdate: May 30, 1988
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Pojuca, State of Bahia, Brazil
Amanda Nunes is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist currently associated with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where she is the current UFC Women's Featherweight Champion. She is also a former UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion. She is widely regarded as one of the greatest female mixed martial artists of all time. She is openly lesbian.
48
Maurício Rua
(Mixed martial artist)
Birthdate: November 25, 1981
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Curitiba, State of Paraná, Brazil
49
Lucas Paquetá
(Footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder)
Birthdate: August 27, 1997
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
50
Jairzinho
(Brazilian Former Football Player)
Birthdate: December 25, 1944
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Rio de Janeiro, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil