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Barcelona are one of the biggest football clubs in the world and Brazil is one of the most dominant nations in the history of the sport. Whilst looking for top talent across the world, Barcelona have time and again scouted Brazilian players, found them to be great and given them the Blaugrana colours.
Barcelona have had plenty of Brazilian players on their payroll
From Faustos Dos Santos in the 1930s to Philippe Coutinho and Arthur Melo, the long-standing association between Barcelona and Brazil is still going strong. Some of the greatest footballers of all time have played for both Brazil and Barcelona.
Without further ado, let's take a look at five of the best Brazilians to have played for Barcelona.
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#5 Rivaldo
Rivaldo spent the early years of his senior career at various Brazilian clubs like Santa Cruz, Morgi Mirim, Corinthians and Palmeiras. But in 1996, he joined Deportivo La Coruna and had a breakout season in Spain. He scored 21 goals in the league and was the joint-fourth top scorer in La Liga in the 1996-97 season.
Barcelona swooped in for him in the summer of 1996 and signed him for $26 million. Rivaldo's performances inspired Barcelona to a domestic double as they won the La Liga title and the Copa Del Rey in his debut season. He was the league's highest goalscorer in 1998-99 with 24.
Rivaldo won the Ballon d'Or in 1999, beating Manchester United's David Beckham who had just won the continental treble with the Red Devils. That goes to show just how good Rivaldo was during that time.
The Brazilian international was technically gifted and was one of the most well-rounded players of his generation. His ball control was immaculate and his touches exquisite. Rivaldo was extremely agile and had an incredible shooting range as well.
He won two La Liga titles, one Copa Del Rey and one UEFA Cup with the Catalans. In 235 appearances across all competitions for Barcelona, Rivaldo scored 130 goals and provided 44 assists.
#4 Romario
Romario is one of the greatest strikers of all time. He was a sensational forward, who scored over 750 goals in his senior career and won an incredible number of titles along the way.
Romario is one of the players that sparked off the love affair between Barcelona and Brazil. He joined Barcelona in 1993 and became part of Johan Cruyff's Dream Team. Romario left two seasons later after falling out with Cruyff but had already left an indelible mark on the club's fabric.
Romario inspired Brazil to glory at the 1994 FIFA World Cup. He was named FIFA World Player of the Year in 1994 after winning the World Cup with Brazil and the La Liga title with the Catalans. Romario was so good that he finished fifth in the FIFA Player of the Century poll in 1999.
#3 Neymar Jr.
After an era that spawned the likes of Rivaldo, Ronaldo Nazario and Ronaldinho, the world was waiting with bated breath to see the next big talent from Brazil. Out came Neymar Jr., who catapulted into fame with his Puskas Award-winning goal for Santos against Flamengo in 2011.
Neymar immediately became one of the most sought-after players in the world, and Barcelona secured his services on a deal worth €88 million. It happened during a time when the Catalans were still good at transfer business. Neymar hit the ground running at Barcelona and struck up a great partnership with Lionel Messi.
The gang got a facelift shortly after as Luis Suarez was also roped into the Camp Nou. Messi, Suarez and Neymar, popularly known as MSN, formed the greatest attacking trio of the 21st century.
Neymar's streetsmartness and incredbile technical ability helped Barcelona carve open even the most resolute of defences. He was having fun on the football pitch and was a joy to watch every time he stepped out onto the pitch.
Neymar ultimately left Barcelona in 2017 but not before winning two La Liga titles, one Champions League title and three Copa Del Reys. He won the continental treble with the Catalans in the 2014-15 season.
In 186 appearances across all competitions for Barcelona, Neymar scored 105 goals and provide 76 assists.
#2 Dani Alves
Dani Alves might not have hit the individual heights of his fellow Brazilians on this list. But the legendary right-back, who is now back at Barcelona, had a spectacular career at the Camp Nou. In addition to his undeniable quality, Alves' loyalty and longevity went a long way towards making him an all-time great.
Alves was the best right-back in the world for close to a decade. He joined Barcelona in 2008 from Sevilla and was already regarded as one of the best in the world. He shared a telepathic understanding with Lionel Messi down the right wing for Barcelona.
The duo made mincemeat of opponents with their unreal link-up play and Alves chipped in with vital contributions at critical junctures to etch his name into Barcelona folklore. He won six La Liga titles, three Champions League titles and four Copas del Reys with the Catalans before leaving in 2016.
In 395 appearances across all competitions for the Catalans, Alves scored 21 goals and provided 103 assists.
#1 Ronaldinho
Ronaldinho was sheer poetry in motion on a football pitch. Nobody has ever eviscerated opponents with as innocent a smile on their face in the history of the game.
Ronaldinho was always smiling just like a little kid who was happy to come home from school and is running out with his football for a kickabout with his mates.
Barcelona hijacked Ronaldinho's move to Manchester United in 2003. The Brazilian spent his prime years at Barcelona and attained global recognition during that time. Ronaldinho won the Ballon d'Or in 2005 and was named the FIFA World Player of the Year twice.
He could do all kinds of things with the ball at his feet. His unrivaled skillset was replete with elasticos, rabonas, trivelas, rainbow flicks, backheels, stepovers, roulettes and no-look passes. You couldn't take your eyes off the monitor when Ronaldinho was playing. He was that good.
In his five seasons with Barcelona, Ronaldinho won two La Liga titles and one Champions League title. He also elicited a standing ovation from Real Madrid fans at the Santiago Bernabeu after a mesmerizing performance in the El Clasico in the 2005-06 season.
In 207 appearances across all competitions for the Catalans, Ronaldinho scored 94 goals and provided 71 assists.
