45 articles
Adriano (footballer, born 1982)
Adriano Leite Ribeiro (Adriano Imperador), Brazilian striker born 1982 in Rio de Janeiro; Inter Milan star (74 goals in 177 games), 2004 Copa América and 2005 Confederations Cup top scorer, career derailed by his father's death, alcoholism and depression, retired 2016.
Adriano (footballer, born 1984)
Adriano Correia, Brazilian left back born 1984 in Curitiba; distinct from striker Adriano Leite Ribeiro (born 1982). Coritiba, six seasons at Sevilla, six at Barcelona winning two Champions League and four La Liga titles, later Besiktas and KAS Eupen.
Alan Ruschel
Alan Luciano Ruschel (b. 23 Aug 1989, Taquara, Brazil), Brazilian left back and captain of EC Juventude. Survivor of the 2016 Chapecoense plane crash that killed 71; returned in 2017 and won the 2020 Série B with Chapecoense.
Alexandre Pato
Alexandre Pato (Alexandre Rodrigues da Silva, born 1989, Pato Branco), Brazilian striker; youngest scorer in FIFA competitions, AC Milan 2007-13 (150 games, 63 goals, 2011 Scudetto), later Corinthians, Chelsea, Villarreal, Tianjin, Orlando City; retired 2023.
Anderson (footballer, born 1988)
Anderson (Anderson Luís de Abreu Oliveira, born 1988, Porto Alegre) is a retired Brazilian midfielder; Grêmio, Porto, Manchester United 2007-2015 (181 apps, 4 Premier League titles, 2008 Champions League, Golden Boy 2008), then Internacional and Adana Demirspor; retired 2019.
Dani Alves
Dani Alves, full name Daniel Alves da Silva, is a Brazilian former right-back reported as the most decorated footballer in history, best known for eight seasons at Barcelona.
Dante (footballer)
Dante (Dante Bonfim Costa Santos), Brazilian centre-back born 1983 in Salvador; Bayern Munich treble winner 2013, 13 Brazil caps, retired 2026 at Nice after 754 matches, now FC Bayern reserves head coach.
David Luiz
David Luiz (David Luiz Moreira Marinho) is a Brazilian professional footballer, a center-back for clubs including Chelsea and Arsenal who won the Champions League in 2012 and earned 57 caps for Brazil.
Diego (footballer, born 1985)
Diego Ribas da Cunha, known as Diego, is a Brazilian former attacking midfielder who led Santos to the 2002 Brazilian title and starred for Werder Bremen.
Diego Alves
Diego Alves (Diego Alves Carreira), Brazilian goalkeeper born 1985 in Rio de Janeiro; played for Almeria, Valencia, Flamengo, and Celta; retired January 2025 holding the La Liga record for penalty saves and 11 titles with Flamengo.
Diego Costa
Diego Costa (Diego da Silva Costa), Brazilian-born Spanish centre-forward born 1988 in Lagarto; starred for Atletico Madrid (2014 La Liga, 27 goals) and Chelsea (two Premier League titles), switched from Brazil to Spain in 2014, retired February 2026.
Elano
Elano (Elano Ralph Blumer, born 1981, Iracemápolis) is a Brazilian former midfielder, two-time Brasileirão and 2011 Libertadores winner with Santos, ex-Shakhtar, Manchester City, Galatasaray, 2010 World Cup player, now Santos youth manager.
Elkeson
Elkeson (Ai Kesen, 艾克森), born 1989, is a Brazilian-born centre-forward, CSL all-time leading foreign scorer, Guangzhou/Shanghai SIPG star, naturalized Chinese international (19 caps, 4 goals), retired 9 April 2025.
Felipe Melo
Felipe Melo (Felipe Melo de Carvalho, born 1983, Volta Redonda), Brazilian defensive midfielder nicknamed Pitbull; retired 24 January 2025 at 41. Three-time Copa Libertadores winner (Palmeiras 2020, 2021; Fluminense 2023), 22 Brazil caps, 2009 Confederations Cup.
Fernandinho (footballer, born 1985)
Fernandinho (Fernando Luiz Rosa, born 1985, Londrina, Brazil), Brazilian defensive midfielder; Shakhtar Donetsk 2005-2013, Manchester City 2013-2022 (383 games, captain, five Premier League titles), later Athletico Paranaense; retired 2025.
Fernando (footballer, born 1987)
Fernando (Fernando Francisco Reges, born 1987) is a retired Brazilian defensive midfielder nicknamed "O Polvo". Played for Vila Nova, Porto, Manchester City, Galatasaray, Sevilla, and Internacional, winning 21 titles including three UEFA Europa Leagues; retired 10 April 2026.
Filipe Luís
Filipe Luís, full name Filipe Luís Kasmirski, is a Brazilian football manager and former left back who played for Atlético Madrid and Flamengo, and now coaches AS Monaco.
Fred (footballer, born 1983)
Fred (Frederico Chaves Guedes, born 1983, Teófilo Otoni) is a Brazilian retired striker; Fluminense idol with 199 goals in 382 games, three-time Brasileirão top scorer, Lyon Ligue 1 winner, Brazil 39 caps, 2006 and 2014 World Cups.
Hernanes
Hernanes (Anderson Hernanes de Carvalho Viana Lima, O Profeta), Brazilian midfielder born 1985; São Paulo idol with 2007-08 Brasileirão titles, Lazio, Inter, Juventus, 2013 Confederations Cup winner, retired 2021.
Heurelho Gomes
Heurelho Gomes (Heurelho da Silva Gomes), Brazilian goalkeeper born 1981; Cruzeiro, PSV (four Eredivisie titles), Tottenham, Hoffenheim loan, Watford; 11 Brazil caps; retired 2020, now an agent.
Hulk (footballer)
Hulk (Givanildo Vieira de Sousa, born 1986, Campina Grande) is a Brazilian forward of Porto, Zenit, Shanghai SIPG, and Atlético Mineiro (137 goals), who joined Fluminense in May 2026 after a free rescission.
Jô
Jô (João Alves de Assis Silva, born 1987) is a Brazilian retired centre-forward, Corinthians idol and Neo Química Arena top scorer, 2013 Libertadores winner with Atlético Mineiro, 2017 Brasileirão best player, and Brazil's 2013 Confederations Cup winner.
Júlio Baptista
Júlio Baptista (Júlio César Clemente Pereira Baptista), "La Bestia", Brazilian midfielder-forward born 1981; played for São Paulo, Sevilla, Real Madrid, Arsenal, Roma, Cruzeiro; won Copa América 2004/2007; now São Paulo under-20 coach.
Kaká
Kaká (Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite), Brazilian attacking midfielder born 1982; 2002 World Cup winner, 2007 Ballon d'Or and Champions League winner with AC Milan, later Real Madrid and Orlando City, retired 2017.
Leandro Damião
Leandro Damião (Leandro Damião da Silva dos Santos), Brazilian centre-forward born 1989 in Jardim Alegre. Copa Libertadores 2010 and Recopa 2011 winner with Internacional, 108 club goals, Olympic silver at London 2012, 18 Brazil caps; retired April 2025.
Lucas Leiva
Lucas Leiva (Lucas Pezzini Leiva), Brazilian defensive midfielder born 1987 in Dourados. Grêmio and Liverpool (2007-2017, 346 apps, League Cup 2012), then Lazio; retired March 2023 due to a heart condition.
Luís Fabiano
Luís Fabiano (O Fabuloso), Brazilian striker of São Paulo FC, FC Porto, and Sevilla; 28 Brazil goals, Copa América 2004, Confederations Cup 2009 top scorer, two UEFA Cups; retired 2018, later MDB pre-candidate for federal deputy in São Paulo.
Luiz Adriano
Luiz Adriano (Luiz Adriano de Souza da Silva, born 1987) is a Brazilian striker, ex-Shakhtar Donetsk record scorer (128 goals) who scored five in one 2014/15 Champions League game at BATE, later AC Milan and Spartak Moscow.
Luiz Gustavo
Luiz Gustavo (Luiz Gustavo Dias, born 1987, Pindamonhangaba) is a Brazilian defensive midfielder and Athletico Paranaense captain; ex-Hoffenheim, Bayern (2013 treble), Wolfsburg, Marseille, Fenerbahçe; 46 Brazil caps, 2014 World Cup squad.
Marcelo (footballer, born 1988)
Marcelo Vieira da Silva Júnior (Marcelo), Brazilian left back born 1988 in Rio de Janeiro; Fluminense youth product, 16 seasons at Real Madrid (546 games, 25 trophies, 5 Champions League), 58 Brazil caps, retired 6 February 2025.