00:14Welcome to the FIFA World Cup on WatchMojo and today we're picking an all-time starting
00:2011 for the Brazil national side.
00:23Be sure to stick around for the full line-up because at the end of the video we'll rapid
00:27fire through the very best players to watch out for in the 2026 tournament specifically.
00:35Goalkeeper Gilmar Though the majority of those who know his name
00:39never saw him play, Gilmar is regarded as one of the greatest keepers to ever put on
00:44gloves.
00:45As a key figure within both the 1958 and 1962 World Cup winning sides, Gilmar's consistency
00:52and ability to perform in high-pressure matches set the standard for Brazilian goalkeepers.
00:57He spent the best years of his club career in the Brazilian league at Santos and Corinthians,
01:03making 752 appearances.
01:06It was on the international stage though where he truly earned his reputation.
01:10In his prime, he had some of the best reflexes in the sport and had immense composure under
01:15pressure.
01:17Left back Roberto Carlos It's impossible not to immediately think of
01:22that thunderous left boots whenever Roberto Carlos is mentioned.
01:39However, there was so much more to this Real Madrid legends game than the rocket he had attached
01:45to his hip.
01:46Credited with revolutionizing the wing-back role, he was, at the time, the most offensively-minded
01:52left back to ever play the game.
01:54The fact that he started his career as a striker should surprise no one.
01:58He represented Brazil in three World Cups, taking home gold in 2002.
02:04And during his time with Madrid, he was a three-time Champions League winner.
02:08He always deserves a mention in any GOAT conversation where the left-back position is concerned.
02:14Centre-back Thiago Silva The longevity of Thiago Silva needs to be studied,
02:20considering he's continued to play at a relatively high level past his 40th birthday.
02:25His positional awareness and veteran savvy will never leave him.
02:29But in his heyday, he had a lot of other skills and physical assets.
02:43Seen as an elite centre-back for over a decade, Silva was dominant in the air, reliable in a
02:49one-on-one situation, and a truly intelligent all-rounder.
02:53The fact that he's even aiming for a spot in the 2026 World Cup squad is commendable.
02:59That kind of experience could certainly come in handy.
03:02Centre-back Domingos de Guia Playing in the 1930s and 1940s, the legendary
03:09centre-back Domingos de Guia introduced a style of defending that emphasized intelligence over
03:15brute force, combining technique and physicality seamlessly.
03:18There was something truly sophisticated about the way de Guia approached the beautiful game.
03:24Though his Brazilian side never managed to lift a World Cup trophy, his influence on the
03:29modern developments of the centre-back role cannot be understated.
03:33Over the course of his club career, he represented the best of the best in Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina
03:39before retiring in 1948.
03:42Right-back CAFU
03:44The Brazilian nation has a real knack for producing truly gifted white players.
03:49Ones who redefine what their position's role entails.
03:52In this regard, CAFU is impossible to ignore.
03:55He is the only player in football history to appear in three consecutive World Cup finals,
04:01winning two of them in 1994 and 2002.
04:05With 142 caps, he is the player with the most appearances in the country's history.
04:11On the pitch, he was the perfect balance of defensive awareness, endless stamina and offensive skill in the opponent's half.
04:19A trailblazing wing-back in the truest sense.
04:23Left midfield, Ronaldinho
04:25There's an argument to be made that no player in the history of football has made the sport look as
04:30fun as Ronaldinho.
04:32He'd greet his opponents with a smile and then flick the ball between their legs, thoroughly embarrassing them in the
04:38process.
04:38Sure, he didn't have the longevity of many other greats, but during his peak years, Ronaldinho was something truly special.
04:46He took home a World Cup trophy in 2002 and the Ballon d'Or in 2005.
04:52To this day, he is revered as one of the most naturally charismatic players to ever lace up boots.
04:58But even when you go beyond the personality, he had the stats to back it all up.
05:03Centre midfield, Socrates
05:05If you don't know anything about the centre midfield icon that was Socrates, he was truly one of a kind.
05:12Named doctor due to his degree in medicine, he was a truly charismatic and outspoken figure, an undeniable cultural hero
05:20to many people in Brazil.
05:22He captained Brazil during the 1982 World Cup with a mix of flair, creativity and leadership orchestrating attacks with sublime
05:30passing and tactical acumen.
05:32There was a level of elegance and a real cerebral nature to Socrates that made him stand out immediately.
05:40To this day, he is widely considered to be one of the most important Brazilian players of all time.
05:46Centre midfield, Dunga
05:48If you're looking for the perfect midfield general in football, look no further than the mighty Dunga.
05:55He captained Brazil to 1994 World Cup glory, anchoring the midfield with his relentless work rates and organisational intelligence.
06:03Known as one of the finest defensive midfielders of all time, he could do it all, offensively, defensively, everything.
06:11He joins Spanish hero Xavi as one of the only two men to have played in a World Cup final,
06:18an Olympic final, a Confederations Cup final and a Continental Championship final.
06:24Dunga eventually went on to manage the Brazilian national side in two separate stints between 2006 and 2016.
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07:36He didn't just get that reputation for nothing either.
07:40He remains the only player in the history of the sport to have won three World Cup trophies,
07:45a truly staggering achievement.
07:48He dominated at both club and international level, with his entire career goal total being
07:53estimated at over 1,200, including all competition formats.
07:58As a player, he had everything – flair, physicality, uncoachable instincts, and intelligence.
08:05Before there was Messi or Maradona, this was the man who was almost exclusively pointed
08:11to as a GOAT.
08:18Ronaldo
08:19You don't get a nickname as outwardly complimentary as O Phenomeno without having a serious resume
08:25to back it up.
08:26Ronaldo Nazario is a two-time World Cup winner who, at his peak, was the ultimate striker.
08:33Scintillating pace, insane ball control, and physical strength allowed him to wreak havoc
08:39on defenses at club and international level throughout the 1990s and 2000s.
08:51Despite the damage the injuries did to his longevity, this two-time Ballon d'Or winner managed to sustain
08:58his greatness for over a decade, becoming one of the finest forwards in history.
09:03Subs bench, Alison Becker, a modern-day Premier League elite between the sticks.
09:08Carlos Alberto, captain of the legendary 1970 World Cup winning team.
09:14Jairzinho, scored in every game at the 1970 World Cup.
09:19Julinho, a key player during the late 1940s and 1950s.
09:25Zico, one of the greatest players in history to never win a World Cup.
09:30Rivelino, offensive dynamo and crucial part of the 1970s dynasty.
09:36Neymar, all-time highest goalscorer for the Brazilian national team.
09:41Rivaldo, technically masterful 1999 Ballon d'Or winner.
09:46Romario, one of the most prolific goalscorers to ever do it.
09:50So, those are the greatest players of all time, but how about right now?
09:54Who are the players you need to know before World Cup 2026 kicks off in America, Mexico and Canada?
10:02Gabriel
10:03The rise of Gabriel over the years has seen him become one of the most dominant defenders in the Premier
10:08League.
10:14It did take him quite a while to earn his Brazil debut, but now that he has, he will be
10:19thrust into a key role.
10:21At 28 years old, he is entering his first World Cup in the prime of his career,
10:26and he will be expected to be a leader to players who may have more experience on the international stage.
10:46Having crossed the 100-cap mark for his country,
10:49Marquinhos knows all about the disappointment of failing to live up to the expectations of the
10:54Brazilian fans. However, at 32, he is still operating at his peak, and this is arguably one of the most
11:01balanced national team units he has been a part of. He will need to be a talisman in the heart
11:07of defense,
11:08a sturdy and reliable fixture that stands firm so the squad's offense can do their thing.
11:14Alisson Becker At 33, Alisson is very clearly still
11:18right in the thick of his prime. Who knows? Perhaps he will still be in the mix when the
11:232030 World Cup comes around. With Liverpool, he has won pretty much every tournament of notes since
11:29joining them, as well as the 2019 Cobra America with Brazil. Still, winning the top prize in
11:35international football is the key to securing your legacy as an all-time great. If Alisson wants that acclaim,
11:42he needs to make his mark when it matters most.
11:48Vinicius Junior When Brazil made their last
11:51appearance in the World Cup, Vinny Junior was only a year into his senior international career.
11:57He was by no means the key player he has become now, or at least he didn't adequately show it.
12:02This time around, there will be an expectation that he is capable of lighting the entire tournament on
12:08fire. Whether he will be able to fulfill that billing remains to be seen. But if you're looking for the
12:13leader of this Brazilian side, this is a clear candidate.
12:24Vinicius Junior Is Rafinha poised to be the star man for Brazil in 2026? It's impossible to say for
12:31sure. However, given that he's been in top form and at the veteran age of 29, there's every chance that
12:38this Barcelona star will be expected to be the talisman this time around. If the Rafinha, who has
12:50lit up Spanish football over the last two seasons shows up this summer, things could get very, very
12:56interesting. So, what's your prediction for Brazil at the World Cup? Who's your favourite player from
13:10now or from history? Let us know your thoughts in those comments below!
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