A SeleçãoBrasil

In Sweden, Brazil won their first World Cup — and did it in a way nobody had seen before. A 17-year-old Santos striker named Edson Arantes do Nascimento, known as Pelé, scored 6 goals in 4 games after breaking into the side mid-tournament. In the final against Sweden, he scored twice, including a chest-and-volley that is still replayed as one of the greatest goals in the competition's history. Alongside the incomparable dribbler Garrincha, Brazil played football from another dimension. The world had a new standard.

Pelé was injured early in Chile 1962, and what happened next was extraordinary: Garrincha, a winger born with both legs bent inward and one shorter than the other, carried Brazil to the title essentially alone. He was named the tournament's best player and top scorer despite not being a striker. His dribbling was supernatural — opponents would literally sit down on the pitch in bewilderment. Brazil retained the trophy they'd won in Sweden. Garrincha was pure joy distilled into football.

Mexico 1970. Pelé at 29, in his prime, surrounded by a supporting cast of transcendent players: Jairzinho, Rivelino, Tostão, Carlos Alberto. Brazil went the entire tournament without losing. They played football so beautiful that opponents applauded them. The final against Italy was 4–1, with Carlos Alberto's closing goal — a thunderous right-foot strike after a move involving 9 players — voted the greatest goal in World Cup history by multiple polls. This team is widely considered the greatest international side that has ever played the game.

Brazil's 1982 squad — Zico, Sócrates, Falcão, Éder — is considered by many the greatest team never to win the World Cup. They played extraordinary football in Spain, winning every group game. But in a single-elimination group match against Italy, Paolo Rossi scored a hat-trick in one of the biggest upsets in tournament history. Brazil were eliminated despite outplaying Italy for large parts of the game. Sócrates, a physician and philosopher who played football as a political statement, wept on the pitch. The match became known as "the Tragedy of Sarrià."

24 years of hurt ended in USA 1994. Romário and Bebeto formed the most lethal strike partnership in tournament history — Romário scored 5 goals, Bebeto 3. Their famous baby-rocking goal celebration after Bebeto scored against the Netherlands became one of football's most iconic images. The final against Italy was goalless after 120 minutes — settled on penalties. Baggio struck the decisive kick over the bar. Brazil were champions again. Romário was named the tournament's best player and later called this the greatest achievement of his life.

Korea/Japan 2002 produced the most cathartic individual story in World Cup history. Ronaldo had suffered a convulsive episode the night before the 1998 final and played poorly. Four years later, fully recovered, he was unstoppable: 8 goals, the Golden Boot, and two goals in the final against Germany including one of the cleanest finishes ever scored at the top level. He celebrated with his arms wide open, his face pointed at the sky. Brazil won their fifth star. The Ronaldo who played in 2002 may be the most physically complete centre-forward the game has ever produced.

Ronaldinho in 2005–06 was arguably the best player on earth — a dribbler of supernatural ability with a smile that never left his face. Brazil arrived in Germany as favourites with a squad including Ronaldo, Adriano, Kaká, Robinho, Roberto Carlos and Cafu. But a disjointed campaign ended in the quarter-finals against France. Zidane controlled the match completely. Brazil had too many stars and no system. Ronaldinho went home without a World Cup — the greatest player of his generation denied by circumstance and poor team management.

The darkest day in Brazilian football since 1950. Hosting the World Cup, Brazil reached the semi-finals but lost Neymar to injury. Against Germany in Belo Horizonte, they collapsed. 1–0 became 2–0, 3–0, 4–0 — all in 6 minutes. Germany scored 5 goals in 29 first-half minutes. Brazil fans wept in the stands. Final score: 7–1. It remains one of the most shocking results in football history and the worst defeat Brazil had ever suffered. The term "Mineirazo" — after the Mineirão stadium — entered the Brazilian football lexicon alongside "Maracanazo" as a synonym for national trauma.

Qatar 2022 brought a gifted new generation: Vinicius Jr., Rodrygo, Raphinha, Richarlison — surrounding a fit Neymar who had finally found his best form at a tournament. Brazil scored 8 goals in the group stage, topped their group, and looked the most complete attacking team in the tournament. But in the quarter-finals against Croatia, after leading 1–0 deep into extra time, they conceded a Petkovic equaliser and lost on penalties. Neymar scored his shootout kick but others missed. Brazil went home again without the trophy. The sixth star remains the dream.