Have you ever thought about going back in time to find out who the best defensive midfielders in Brazil are? We’ve taken on this mission and put together two lists to refresh your memory!
First, let’s meet the current talents who are making a name for themselves. Then we’ll travel back in time and remember the icons who left their mark wearing the yellow shirt;
Excited about this journey?
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How do you know who the best midfielders in Brazil are?
The midfielder is the sheriff of the soccer pitch, he can dictate the pace of the game with his vision and is largely responsible for leaving the ball and marking in the center of the pitch. He must be tireless, an expert at stealing balls, distributing passes and giving the team balance;
We will use the following criteria to evaluate:
Number of correct passes per match
A quantidade de passes corretos distribuídos durante um jogo é um por parâmetro para compreender a qualidade do jogador de meio campo.
Number of balls recovered
The number of times the midfielder steals the ball from the opposing team is also one of the main statistics for analyzing his performance
Meet the best steering wheels in Brazil
For this list, we’ll take a look at the players’ performances in both the Brasileirão 2023 and the state championships that are coming to an end.
- André from Fluminense
At just 22, he is already a key member of Fernando Diniz’s team and has ceased to be seen as a promise since 2022. It’s no surprise that he is often targeted by the European market and has good chances of moving to a foreign club.
- In Brasileirão 2023, he hit 95% of his passes and averaged 6.9 balls recovered per game.
- In the current Campeonato Carioca, André hit 98% of his passes and averaged 6.7 balls recovered per game.
Personal archive/Instagram
- Pablo Maia from São Paulo
Pablo Maia, a midfielder for São Paulo, is in third place as one of the best defensive midfielders in Brazil. At 22, he has already been called up to the Brazilian national team and is attracting international interest. Brazil Cup win in 2023 and is vital in the team.
- In the Brasileirão 2023, he hit 90% of his passes and averaged 6.3 balls recovered per game.
- In the current Campeonato Paulista, Pablo hit 88% of his passes and averaged 5.2 balls recovered per game.
Personal archive/Instagram
- Caio Alexandre from Bahia
Caio Alexandre, one of the best defensive midfielders in Brazil, was signed by Bahia after making a name for himself at Fortaleza. Revealed by Botafogo, he had a spell in the MLS before returning to Brazil. Now he’s looking to continue his good performance at his new club.
- In the Brasileirão 2023, he hit 88% of his passes and averaged 5.5 balls recovered per game.
- In the current Campeonato Baiano, Caio hit 90% of his passes and averaged 6.2 balls recovered per game.
Personal archive/Instagram
- Zé Rafael from Palmeiras
Our selection of the best defensive midfielders in Brazil also includes Zé Rafael, a key player in Abel Ferreira’s Palmeiras. His progress since his days at Bahia has made him one of the most talented players in the position, with the potential to make the Brazilian national team.
- In the Brasileirão 2023, he hit 87% of his passes and averaged 6.9 balls recovered per game.
- In the current Campeonato Paulista, Zé Rafael hit 90% of his passes and averaged 4.8 balls recovered per game.
Personal archive/Instagram
- Erick Pulgar from Flamengo
Pulgar, who played for Fiorentina, is a dead-ball specialist. Now at Flamengo, he is looking to regain his form. In the Chilean national team, he has been an important part of the midfield, making 40 appearances and scoring four goals since 2015, including winning the Copa América Centenario in 2016.
- In Brasileirão 2023, he hit 89% of his passes and averaged 5.6 balls recovered per game.
- In the current Carioca Championship, Pulgar hit 94% of his passes and averaged 7.1 balls recovered per game.
Personal archive/Instagram
- Gerson from Flamengo
Gerson left for Europe at a very young age and therefore failed to live up to the expectations placed on him. However, when he returned to Brazil, he found his brilliance again defending the colors of Flamengo. Since his return, Gerson has been noticed by the Brazilian national team. He is recognized for his precise passing and exemplary vision of the game.
- In the Brasileirão 2023, he hit 87% of his passes and averaged 4.9 balls recovered per game.
- In the current Campeonato Carioca, Gerson hit 90% of his passes and averaged 4.8 balls recovered per game.
Personal archive/Instagram
- Mathias Villasanti from Grêmio
Villasanti arrived at Gremio in 2021 and quickly became a key cog in the midfield. Despite an incident in 2022, he had an exceptional season in 2023, helping Gremio win titles and receiving recognition as the best player in Paraguay.Certainly one of the best defensive midfielders in Brazil today
- In the 2023 Brasileirão, he hit 87% of his passes and averaged 8.0 balls recovered per game.
- In the current Campeonato Gaúcho, Villasanti hit 88% of his passes and averaged 8.4 balls recovered per game.
Personal archive/Instagram
- Otávio from Atlético-MG
Otávio began his career at Atlético Paranaense in 2009. In 2017, he moved to Bordeaux, in France, where he played 127 games. In 2022, he signed for Atlético-MG on loan, later extending his contract for four years. He’s in eighth place among the best defensive midfielders in Brazil.
- In the 2023 Brasileirão, he hit 90% of his passes and averaged 5.0 balls recovered per game.
- In the current Campeonato Mineiro, Otávio hit 93% of his passes and averaged 6.2 balls recovered per game.
Personal archive/Instagram
- Matheus Fernandes from RB Bragantino
Matheus Fernandes played 55 games for Braga, scoring one goal and making three assists. He had two spells at Palmeiras, making just 19 appearances. After an excellent performance in the Brasileirão 2023 and the Campeonato Paulista, the Bragança side agreed to sign the midfielder permanently. Smart move: Bragantino keeps one of the best defensive midfielders in Brazil.
- In the Brasileirão 2023, he hit 83% of his passes and averaged 6.9 balls recovered per game.
- In the current Campeonato Paulista, Matheus hit 86% of his passes and averaged 4.3 balls recovered per game.
Personal archive/Instagram
- Fernandinho from Athletico-PR
The midfielder began his professional career at Athletico-PR in 2002, passing through Shakhtar Donetsk before arriving at Manchester City, where he won five Premier League titles. Fernandinho returned to the club in July 2022 and excelled, contributing to Furacão’s CONMEBOL Libertadores campaign. This season, he has played in 48 games, starting 45.
- In Brasileirão 2023, he hit 85% of his passes and averaged 5.9 balls recovered per game.
- In the current Paranaense Championship, Fernandinho hit 85% of his passes and averaged 5.4 balls recovered per game.
Personal archive/Instagram
List of the best defensive midfielders in Brazil:
- André
- Pablo Maia
- Caio Alexandre
- Zé Rafael
- Erick Pulgar
- Gerson
- Matheus Villasanti
- Otávio
- Matheus Fernandes
- Fernandinho
Best defensive midfielders in Brazil: a look back at the past
From Dino Sani to Falcao, Brazil has seen true giants occupy the position of midfielder. Here’s a list of the best defensive midfielders in Brazil of the past!
- Falcão
Titles: World Champion (1982), Italian Championship (1982, 1983, 1984, 1986), Italian Cup (1983, 1984), Italian Super Cup (1983, 1984).
History: Known as “The King of Rome”, he had a brilliant career in Italian soccer playing for Roma and Internacional.
Curiosities: In addition to his exceptional technical skills, he was known for his vision and precision passing.
- Toninho Cerezo
Titles: World Champion (1982), Copa América (1979, 1983), Brazilian Championship (1977, 1980, 1982), Mineiro Championship (1976, 1978, 1979, 1980).
History: he was known for his versatility and tactical intelligence, playing as a midfielder as well as a winger.
Curiosities: After ending his career as a player, he became a coach and had spells at various clubs in Brazil and abroad.
- Dino Sani
Titles: World Champion (1958, 1962), Paulista Championship (1953, 1956, 1958, 1960), Copa Libertadores (1962, 1963), Brazil Cup (1960, 1961).
History: He began his career at Juventus-SP before moving to São Paulo, where he excelled and won several titles.
Curiosities: he was one of the first Brazilian players to move to Italian soccer, playing for Roma and Milan.
- Piazza
Titles: World Champion (1970), Copa América (1969), Brazilian Championship (1970, 1974), Mineiro Championship (1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1972, 1976), Brazil Cup (1966, 1967).
History: Piazza, whose real name is Luís Pereira da Silva, began his career at Cruzeiro in 1965, where he stood out as a versatile and efficient midfielder. He was instrumental in winning the 1976 Copa Libertadores, Cruzeiro’s first international title.
Curiosities: After ending his career as a player, he worked as a coach in Brazilian clubs and in China. In 2006, he was inducted into the Brazilian Football Hall of Fame.
- Gérson
Titles: World Champion (1970), Roca Cup (1963, 1968), Rio Branco Cup (1967), Carioca Championship (1963, 1965, 1972), Paulista Championship (1974).
History: Known as “Canhotinha de Ouro”, he was a key player in the Brazilian team that won the World Cup three times in 1970.
Curiosities: he became known for his elegance and skill in midfield, being recognized as one of the best midfielders in history.
List of the best defensive midfielders in Brazil of all time
- Falcão
- Toninho Cerezo
- Dino Sani
- Piazza
- Gérson
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