The best Brazilian handball players of all time have been fundamental to the development and success of handball in Brazil. This sport, which mixes agility, strength and strategy, has gained a foothold in the hearts of Brazilians over the last few decades. The Brazilian women’s handball team, in particular, has played a crucial role in raising the standard and popularity of the game, gaining international recognition through outstanding performances in world competitions.
Best Brazilian handball players of all time/Personal collection/Instagram
Since the introduction of handball in Brazil in the 1930s, the sport has evolved significantly. The big leap came in the 2000s, when Brazil began to make a regular appearance at the Olympics and World Championships. The victory at the 2013 World Championships in Serbia was a historic milestone, putting Brazil on the world handball map and awakening the best Brazilian handball players of all time.
These achievements are the result of the hard work of several generations of athletes, including some of the best Brazilian handball players of all time.
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Shall we find out who they are? Check them out!
Best Brazilian handball players of all time: complete list
Check out the names of the best Brazilian handball players of all time.
- Duda Amorim
- Alexandra Nascimento
- Bruna de Paula
- Soraya Novaes
- Bárbara Arenhart
- Fabiana Diniz (Dara)
- Ana Paula Rodrigues
- Lucila Vianna da Silva
- Tamires Morena
- Idalina Mesquita
- Maria Aparecida dos Santos (Nenega)
- Chana Masson
The best Brazilian handball players of all time: discover the history of the stars
- Duda Amorim
Eduarda Amorim, better known as Duda Amorim, was born in Blumenau, Santa Catarina. Her main position is left back, where her height and technical ability make her a formidable player. Duda had a brilliant career with the Hungarian club Győri Audi ETO KC, where she won several European Champions League titles.
She was also a key player in Brazil winning the 2013 World Championship and was voted the IHF’s Best Player in the World in 2014. She is considered one of the best Brazilian handball players of all time.
- Alexandra Nascimento
Alexandra Nascimento, the right winger from Limeira, São Paulo, is another iconic figure in Brazilian handball. Known for her speed and precision in attack, Alexandra made history when she was voted IHF World Player of the Year in 2012. Her international career includes spells with renowned clubs such as Austria’s Hypo Niederösterreich, where she won numerous national and international titles.
Alexandra was also instrumental in the 2013 World Cup campaign, helping Brazil to their first world title.
- Bruna de Paula
Born in Fortaleza, Ceará, Bruna de Paula began to make a name for herself in handball as a teenager. Playing as a playmaker, Bruna has a remarkable ability to create plays and score goals. Her career in Europe, especially at French club Fleury Loiret Handball, helped her develop her techniques and vision of the game even further.
Bruna has been a key player for the Brazilian national team in recent international competitions.
- Soraya Novaes
Soraya Novaes, from São Paulo, made a name for herself as one of the best pivots in Brazilian handball. During her career, she played for important teams in Brazil and Spain, where she won multiple national championships. She was six-time South American champion and ten-time Brazilian handball club champion. Her game is marked by her physical strength and blocking ability, essential characteristics for her position.
Soraya has a moving story of overcoming breast cancer throughout her career and currently works as a physical education teacher.
- Babi (Bárbara Arenhart)
Known affectionately as “Babi”, Bárbara Arenhart is one of the most respected goalkeepers in Brazilian handball. Born in Novo Hamburgo, Rio Grande do Sul, Babi has defended the colors of several European clubs, as well as being a constant presence in the Brazilian national team.
Her performances were crucial at the Olympic Games and the World Championships, where Brazil won the gold medal in 2013.
- Fabiana Diniz (Dara)
Fabiana Diniz, also known as Dara, comes from Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais. Dara is known for her play as a pivot, both on the national and international stage. With a distinguished career at Pinheiros and then in Europe, she helped Brazil reach the top of the podium at the 2013 World Cup, a historic achievement for national women’s handball.
- Ana Paula Rodrigues
Ana Paula Rodrigues is originally from Rio de Janeiro and has shone as a central midfielder at top clubs in Europe, especially at CS Oltchim Râmnicu Vâlcea in Romania and Fleury Loiret in France. Ana Paula is known for her leadership on the court and her ability to steer the game with precise passes and quick decisions.
She played a key role in the Brazilian national team during the 2013 World Cup, helping the team win gold.
- Lucila Vianna da Silva
Lucila, known as Ciça, is a former handball player who played as a goalkeeper. Born in São Paulo, she was one of the pioneers of the sport in Brazil, excelling in national clubs before making history in the Brazilian national team. Although she didn’t win any world titles, her contribution helped lay a solid foundation for the future success of women’s handball in Brazil.
- Tamires Morena
From Jacarepaguá, Tamires is known for her agility and technique as a pivot. She got her start in sport at an early age, more specifically in athletics, where she was very good at throwing javelins. But due to her height, the athlete had to look for other activities and found herself in Handball.
She has played for Brazilian and European clubs, with her greatest achievements coming at the 2013 South American and 2014 Pan American Games. Tamires is an example of dedication and passion for handball, always present in the Brazilian national team’s call-ups for major competitions.
- Idalina Mesquita
Idalina, born in Recife, Pernambuco, made handball history as one of Brazil’s first great female stars. She played as a left winger in the 1970s and 1980s, a time when handball was still gaining popularity in the country. Her skill and determination paved the way for many other women in the sport.
Idalina has a degree in physical education and is currently a teacher in Niterói, Rio de Janeiro.
- Maria Aparecida dos Santos (Nenega)
Maria Aparecida, better known as Nenega, came from São Bernardo do Campo, São Paulo. She played mainly as a playmaker, standing out for her vision and ability to score decisive goals. Nenega was an important member of the Brazilian national team in the 1985s and 1990s, taking part in international competitions that helped form the basis for the future successes of women’s handball in Brazil.
- Chana Masson
Chana Masson, born in Capinzal, Santa Catarina, is one of the most outstanding goalkeepers in Brazilian handball. Her international career is marked by spells with high-caliber clubs in Europe, including teams in Denmark and Spain. Chana has an imposing presence in goal, known for her agile saves and impressive reflexes.
Chana Masson also played an important role in Brazil’s campaign at the Women’s Handball World Championship in 2011, where Brazil achieved a historic 5th place, their best finish to date before the world title in 2013. She was also voted Brazil’s best goalkeeper in 1999.
So, did you enjoy learning more about the best Brazilian handball players of all time?
The story of the best Brazilian handball players of all time is one of overcoming, talent and passion for the sport. Athletes like Duda Amorim, Alexandra Nascimento, Bruna de Paula and Chana Masson not only raised the technical and competitive level of women’s handball in Brazil, but also contributed to the country’s international recognition and respect in this sport;
Best Brazilian handball players of all time/Divulgation/IHF
Their legacies reinforce the importance of women’s handball around the world, serving as a source of inspiration for future generations who dream of leaving their mark on the sport. The continued investment and appreciation of the best Brazilian handball players of all time is essential to the continued development of women’s handball globally, ensuring that the sport continues to thrive and inspire.
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