Ranking the 5 best Brazilians to have played for Barcelona

#3 Neymar Jr.

FC Barcelona v FC BATE Borisov - UEFA Champions League

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

FC Barcelona v Villanovense - Copa Del Rey

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

Barcelona v Stuttgart - UEFA Champions League

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.