The connection between Brazil and Italy is well-known, especially through the massive immigration of Italian families to Brazil in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Brazil is the country with the largest population of people of Italian descent outside Italy, with an estimated 15% of the Brazilian population being of Italian origin. In football, this connection is also very strong and vibrant, but it often follows the opposite path, where Brazilians go to Italy to compete in one of the most competitive and physical football leagues in the world.
Below, we will list seven Brazilian players who made history in Italy
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Index
The 7 Brazilians
Altafini/Mazzola
José João Altafini, a native of the traditional city of Piracicaba in the interior of São Paulo, was born on July 24, 1938, and stood out early on for his sharp goal-scoring instincts and technique on the field.
As a young player in the XV de Piracicaba’s youth categories, Altafini gained attention and moved to Palmeiras in 1956 at the age of 17. At Palmeiras, José João became known worldwide as “Mazzola” due to his physical resemblance to the Italian star Valentino Mazzola.
In his two years with Palmeiras, the Italo-Brazilian young talent demonstrated how lethal he was in the penalty area, always opportunistic and seemingly in the right place at the right time.
In his debut for Palestra Italia, Mazzola scored 5 goals against Noroeste, showcasing his efficiency and goal-scoring prowess. He scored a total of 90 goals in 126 games for Verdão, earning him a spot in the Brazilian national team for the 1958 World Cup.
During the World Cup, Mazzola debuted as a starter against Austria, scoring two goals in the Canarinho’s victory. However, in the match against England, he didn’t shine, and the team ended up drawing 0-0, needing a positive result against the feared Soviet Union to advance to the next phase.
Vicente Feola, the legendary coach of the 1958 national team, surprised the press by changing the training schedule before a match against the Soviet Union and making several changes to the squad. Joel, Dino Sani, and Mazzola were replaced by Zito, Garrincha, and Pelé.
The changes worked, and Brazil won 2-0 against the Soviets. Mazzola played against Wales in the quarterfinals but lost his place to none other than the King Pelé. At the end of the World Cup, Brazil became world champions for the first time.
Despite losing his place in the starting lineup, Mazzola had an excellent World Cup and attracted the interest of Milan, which signed him from Palmeiras for 25 million cruzeiros, an extremely high amount at the time.
Upon arriving at Rossoneri, Altafini, at just 19 years old, scored 32 goals in 26 games for Milan and was a key player in the 1958/1959 Serie A triumph.
After the stunning first season, Altafini continued to showcase his Brazilian skills in Italian soil, scoring goals in various ways—inside the box, outside, volleys, headers, a repertoire that earned him the reputation of one of the best players in Italy at the time.
The young Italo-Brazilian’s business was scoring goals. He even scored 4 goals in a Derby della Madonnina (Milan Derby) and also 4 goals in a Derby against Juventus. He is one of the few players in football history to score 5 goals in a Champions League match. Altafini’s goals won the hearts of Milan fans.
Still with Milan, Altafini won the Serie A in 1961/1962, being the competition’s top scorer, and the Champions League, where he scored two goals in the final against Eusébio’s Benfica, finishing as the competition’s top scorer with 14 goals—a record that was only broken in 2014 when Cristiano Ronaldo scored 17 goals.
Despite his success with Milan, the Italian national team sought Altafini to call him up for the Azzurra. Knowing that he would hardly wear the Canarinho again, as the Brazilian national team did not usually call up players who played outside Brazil at the time, Altafini accepted the invitation from the Italian national team. However, he did not achieve as much success with Azzurra, being heavily criticized for his performance in the 1962 World Cup, in which Brazil once again became champions.
In 1965, his time with Milan ended after a disagreement with striker Amarildo. After scoring 120 goals in 205 matches, Altafini bid farewell to Rossoneri and headed south to Napoli.
He spent 7 years at Napoli, which were not fruitful in terms of titles, narrowly missing out on the 1967/1968 championship. However, the star continued to score goals and dazzle with his gala performances. In total, he scored 97 goals in 234 matches for Partenopei.
In 1972, Altafini returned to northern Italy, this time joining Juventus. At the age of 34, Altafini was a kind of luxury substitute for Juventus, always coming in to change games and decide for Vechia Signora. He was crucial to the victories in the 1972/1973 and 1974/1975 Scudettos, scoring 37 goals in 119 matches and being the voice of experience in the squad.
After 18 years in Italian football, Altafini left his mark on Italy’s history. Alongside Giuseppe Meazza, he is the fourth-highest scorer in Serie A history with 216 goals.
Altafini, for Italians, and Mazzola, for Brazilians, was one of the first Brazilians to conquer success in Italy—a remarkable player and personality.
Paulo Roberto Falcão
The Santa Catarina native, Paulo Roberto Falcão, is globally renowned for his elegance on the field. He began his career at Internacional de Porto Alegre, following an excellent campaign in the 1972 Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior, where Inter was the runner-up. Falcão, at just 18 years old, caught the attention of coach Dino Santi and was quickly integrated into the professional team at the Beira-Rio Giant.
In his debut professional season in 1973, he stood out, particularly for the technique and vision he displayed despite his youth. He was an extremely cerebral player, a midfielder who orchestrated the team’s play and, as a pleasant surprise, arrived to finish at goal.
Falcão is one of, if not the greatest idol of the Colorado club. With Internacional, he was a three-time Brazilian champion in 1975, 1976, and 1979, as well as a five-time champion of the Gaúcho state championship. Due to his performance and style of play, he was almost a staple in almost all selections of the Brazilian national team from 1976 to 1986.
After showcasing his style and quality in Brazil, Falcão headed to Rome in 1980, right after the reopening to foreign players.
Upon joining the Giallorossi team, it seemed like he was made to play there. He seamlessly fit into the squad and quickly became a crucial piece for the Lupi.
His bewildering passes, phenomenal ball control with his wide strides, and constant forays into the attack, coupled with his experience and leadership on the field, led to him being a champion of the Coppa Italia in 1980/1981 and 1983/1984. Additionally, he achieved the much-anticipated and elusive title of the Italian Serie A in 1982/1983, a feat the Lupi had been awaiting for over four decades.
The Giallorossi fans hold such adoration for Falcão that they nicknamed him ‘Re di Roma’ (King of Rome). Therefore, it’s undeniable that Paulo Roberto, ‘O Divino’ (The Divine), the ‘Rei de Roma’ (King of Rome), Falcão is one of the most significant Brazilians in the history of Italian football.
Zico
Arthur Antunes Coimbra, also known as Arthurzinho, Galinho, or simply Zico, hails from the city of Rio de Janeiro and began his career, spending the majority of it with Flamengo, where he became the club’s ultimate idol.
During his first stint with Flamengo, Zico showcased his style on the field. He was a complete player, excelling in dribbling, sticking the ball to his feet, scoring goals, and being an outstanding free-kick taker.
From 1971 to 1983, Zico played 630 games for Mengão, scoring 480 goals. He won six Campeonato Carioca titles, three Brazilian championships, a Copa Libertadores, and a Club World Cup. Zico was one of the biggest names in football at the time, prompting Udinese to spare no effort to secure the Brazilian star.
Zico’s transfer to Udinese was one of the largest transactions in world football at the time, around $4 million. However, the transfer sparked controversy. Initially, the Italian Football Federation canceled Zico’s signing, demanding accountability from Udinese to understand how the club had obtained the funds for such a significant investment.
This angered the Friulani fans, who protested for Zico to come and play for Udinese. Political protests were even organized, carrying the slogan “Zico or Austria,” referencing the dominance of the Austrian Empire over the region where Udine is located. Significant efforts, including those of Italian President Sandro Pertini, were made to finalize Zico’s signing.
In his first season with Udinese, Zico lived up to expectations, showcasing dribbles, providing assists, scoring free kicks, and delivering historic performances. However, his efforts weren’t enough for Udinese to perform well in the Italian Serie A. In his debut season, Udinese finished 9th in Serie A, just one win away from qualifying for the UEFA Cup. Zico scored 19 goals in his first season, finishing as the league’s second top scorer, just behind Platini, who scored 20 goals. However, Zico received the award for the best player of the Italian league that season.
If not for an injury that sidelined him for some games in his first season, Zico might have led Udinese to the UEFA Cup and become Serie A’s top scorer. Evidence of this is that Zico participated in 8 out of Udinese’s 10 victories in the competition, including wins against the top four teams: Juventus, Roma, Fiorentina, and Internazionale.
A noteworthy moment in his first Udinese season was the stunning free-kick goal he scored in the 2-1 defeat against Avellino. Zico and teammate Franco Causio had a routine where Causio wanted to execute a rehearsed play whenever Zico took a free kick. Zico asked Causio to step aside, and as promised, they executed the planned move perfectly in the match against Avellino.
In his second season with Udinese, Zico struggled with many muscular injuries and couldn’t display his magnificent football. He played only 15 Serie A games, and in the 1984/1985 season, Udinese narrowly avoided relegation.
Thus, Zico’s time in European football came to an end. It was a brief stint but with impressive numbers. In total, Zico scored 57 goals, including 17 from free kicks.
While some may criticize Zico’s time in Italy, the Udinese fans love him and consider him an idol. This is evident through his honorary citizenship of Udine, the 2006 La Repubblica poll ranking Zico as the best Brazilian to play in Italy, and Zico’s farewell from the Brazilian national team in 1989, which took place in Udine against the World Selection.
Cafu
Marcos Evangelista de Morais, known as Cafu, is one of the greatest right-backs in the history of football. Born in Itaquaquecetuba, in the interior of São Paulo, he began his career with São Paulo FC. Possessing remarkable physical vigor and unparalleled tactical awareness, Cafu moved to Zaragoza in Spain in 1995 but soon returned to Brazil.
He joined Juventude as part of a maneuver by Parmalat in collaboration with Palmeiras, paving the way for his transfer to the Verdão. Cafu spent two seasons with Palmeiras, achieving numerous successes, notably in 1996 with the historic green and white squad that scored 100 goals in the São Paulo State Championship.
After gaining significant recognition in Brazilian football, he was signed by Roma, where he played from 1997 to 2003. As a Luppi, Cafu was a key figure alongside Totti and Aldair. In the Giallorossi, he earned the nickname “Il Pendolino” (the express train) due to his intensity on the field and unique ability to cover the entire pitch, serving as a powerful force in the offensive and a pillar in the defensive phase.
His intensity, dedication, physical strength, and, above all, his ability to elevate his teammates on the field were crucial for winning the Serie A title in 2000/2001. Cafu’s outstanding performances at Roma earned him a place in the Brazilian national team for the 1998 and 2002 World Cups, where he captained the squad and lifted the trophy as a World Champion.
In 2003, Cafu moved to AC Milan, where he further solidified his legacy in Italian football. Part of a magnificent generation of Milanese players from 2003 to 2008, Cafu won everything: Serie A, Supercoppa Italiana, UEFA Super Cup, UEFA Champions League, and FIFA Club World Cup.
Cafu’s dedication to the game serves as an example for thousands of Brazilians, Italians, and football enthusiasts worldwide. Undoubtedly, Cafu is one of the greatest right-backs in the history of football and one of the Brazilians who made a significant impact in Italy.
Ronaldo
The phenomenon Ronaldo Nazário de Lima began his career at Cruzeiro, making a significant impact in the 1993 and 1994 seasons with 56 goals in 58 matches. The young forward was then signed by PSV.
In the Netherlands, Ronaldo continued to shine. His unmatched speed, unique ball control, positional awareness, and precise finishing made the 19-year-old one of the greatest players of the time. He scored 54 goals in 57 matches for PSV, attracting attention from major European clubs.
Ronaldo then moved to Barcelona, where he showcased his exceptional skills. He was the fastest, the most skillful, the most intelligent, and the most prolific goal-scorer. The young sensation seemed like a veteran, displaying an inexplicable intimacy with the ball. In 1996, FIFA named him the world’s best player, making him the youngest player to win the award.
However, at the end of a season where Ronaldo was indisputably one of the world’s best players, a contract renewal with a salary increase was rejected by Barcelona. Internazionale acted swiftly, paying his release clause of $36 million, and Ronaldo, a long-time dream for Nerazzurri, joined the club in Italy.
His time in Italy had both expected and unexpected aspects. Ronaldo started with a bang, scoring 14 goals in 19 games and being named the FIFA World Player of the Year for the second consecutive time.
During the 1997/1998 season, Ronaldo showcased his technical prowess, scoring memorable goals, executing bewildering dribbles, and making unstoppable runs. These qualities led the Italian press to nickname him “Fenômeno” (the phenomenon), a moniker Ronaldo embraced throughout his career.
However, despite his brilliance, Inter controversially lost the Serie A title to Juventus in a match where a clear penalty for Ronaldo was not awarded. Nevertheless, they rebounded by winning the UEFA Cup, lifting the spirits of the Milanese team. Ronaldo scored 34 goals in 47 appearances for Inter in the 1997/1998 season, a stunning performance.
After the 1998 World Cup, Ronaldo struggled with various knee injuries, including persistent tendinitis, severely impacting his on-field performance. Despite intermittent flashes of brilliance, he couldn’t consistently display his usual style for Inter Milan. In nearly five years with Internazionale, the prolific striker scored 59 goals in 99 games—impressive, but not what he and the fans had hoped for. Nevertheless, he remained one of the prominent names in Italian football at the time.
In the later stages of his career, Ronaldo played for Milan, where he continued to grapple with injuries and weight issues. In just 20 games between 2007 and 2008, Ronaldo scored 9 goals for the Rossoneri, demonstrating that he was still a football maestro.
Ronaldo is remembered as one of the Brazilians who made history in Italy, being one of the best players the country ever received. The phenomenon was a unique talent in football, and his achievements with the ball were unparalleled.
Adriano
Born in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Adriano, known for his robust physicality and powerful shots, started his career as a left-back in Flamengo’s youth ranks. However, in his last year in the youth system, the legendary Carlos Alberto Torres, known as Capita, recognized the youngster’s talent and moved him to the attack, a decision that immediately paid off.
In 2000, he made his debut for Flamengo, showcasing intensity, determination, skill, and precision in his shots. Just a year later, he was sold to Inter Milan.
Upon arriving at Inter, the young player impressed with his physique and strength, though at times, he seemed to struggle with positioning on the field. Nevertheless, he adapted to European football.
In his first game for Inter, he scored a stunning free-kick against Real Madrid. After receiving a beautiful long pass, the young Brazilian dribbled like an arrow from the left, cut inside trying to find space for the shot, and was fouled by the experienced Hierro at the edge of the box.
During the free-kick, Adriano asked for the ball from Seedorf. The experienced Dutch midfielder handed the ball to Adriano, convincing other players that the debutant should take the shot. Adriano positioned the ball, took a few steps back, and unleashed an unstoppable rocket that hit the crossbar before finding the net. That was the introduction of the young Carioca with the strength of a giant.
Despite a strong debut, he was loaned to Fiorentina and later to Parma, where he had successful seasons adapting to Italian football, especially at Parma, where he scored 27 goals in 44 games, showcasing not only strength and powerful shooting but also skill and cleverness.
In 2004, he returned to Inter with the status of a star, and he lived up to expectations. With an average of almost 1 goal per game in the 2004/2005 season, the Italian press dubbed him “Imperador” (Emperor), a nickname that suited him perfectly and became known worldwide.
Adriano was a complete forward, possessing the ability and technique for short dribbles and ball control in various situations. His speed and strength allowed him to surpass any defender, and he had one of the most clinical and powerful shots in the football world. Adriano, or rather, the Emperor, was a goal-scoring machine, making fans of Inter and their rivals eager to pay for tickets to see him play.
In the subsequent season, he continued to perform at a high level, being instrumental in winning the Coppa Italia and the Serie A title. However, in 2006, at the end of the season, he received devastating news that would change his career forever—his father, the pillar and best friend of the Emperor, had passed away.
After this tragic news, Adriano suffered immensely and couldn’t maintain his usual rhythm on the field. Although he occasionally showed glimpses of his former self, he lost interest in the game.
Nevertheless, he returned to Inter and was part of the Serie A-winning teams in 2006/2007, 2007/2008, and 2008/2009. In 2008, he left the club after a mutual contract termination.
Adriano, without a doubt, is one of the greatest talents football has ever seen, and it was in Italy that the Emperor demonstrated this. Unfortunately, life’s ephemeral nature prevented Adriano from reaching his full potential, but he remains one of the most unique and vibrant forwards to have played in Italy.
Kaká
Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite, widely known as Kaká, was born in Gama, Distrito Federal, and at a young age, he joined the youth ranks of São Paulo. His standout qualities included a rapid stride and excellent vision of the game.
As soon as Kaká got an opportunity in São Paulo’s senior team, he seized it and did everything to make the most of it. At that time, São Paulo had the best youth system in Brazil and featured prominent midfielders like Julio Baptista and Fábio Simplício. In his debut season in 2001, Kaká scored goals in important matches and delivered spectacular passes, earning him a call-up to the Brazilian national team.
In 2002, he maintained his level of performance and went on to participate in the 2002 FIFA World Cup. Although he had limited playing time, the experience allowed him to interact with the greatest stars of his generation, and he returned home with the title of a Pentacampeão (five-time champion).
His rapid rise to prominence caught the attention of top European clubs, with Chelsea and AC Milan fiercely competing to secure the young midfielder. While Chelsea offered more money, Milan had the advantage of a club filled with Brazilians and Leonardo as a director, who had played with Kaká at São Paulo.
For Kaká, the choice was clear—there was no reason not to choose the Rossoneri. Upon arriving in Milan, the young talent adapted quickly. In a star-studded squad, he surprisingly secured a starting position, surpassing renowned players like Rivaldo and Rui Costa.
His game awareness for long passes, unique ball control, and precise finishing were a perfect fit for Milan’s impressive team. Despite individually delivering fascinating seasons, Milan fell short in conquering the Scudetto and the UEFA Champions League until the magical 2006/2007 season.
For Kaká, the season didn’t start so well, having been eliminated from the World Cup by France and failing to showcase the expected football with his national teammates. However, Kaká rebounded and used those frustrations as motivation to have the best season of his life.
No one could take the ball from his feet, his speed seemed comparable to a 100-meter sprinter, and his finishing was at its peak—powerful shots with the instep, delicate touches to displace goalkeepers, and his trademark curling shots with the inside of the foot.
Kaká played a pivotal role in Milan’s triumph in the UEFA Champions League in the 2006/2007 season, finishing as the tournament’s top scorer with ten goals, many of them decisive and spectacular. He also contributed with beautiful assists, most notably the one for Pippo Inzaghi’s goal in the final against Liverpool—a sweet revenge for Kaká and Milan, who had lost on penalties in the Principe’s debut season with the Rossoneri.
Kaká is synonymous with elegance combined with speed on the field, featuring a unique playing style that will be remembered eternally by Milan fans and Italian football enthusiasts.
Written by João Felipe Miller.
