20 Best Brazilians Playing in Europe Right Now

Who are the best Brazilian players currently playing in Europe? It may not be a vintage crop to choose from, but there is still plenty of Brazilian talent dotted around the continent to pull together a pretty remarkable list.

Brazilians are a fixture of top sides in almost every league the continent has to offer, from Portugal to Russia, and Turkey to England. Wherever you look, there is almost certainly a Brazilian playing at one of the nation's top clubs.

The ranks of Brazilians in Europe will soon be boosted by the arrival of Neymar, who will almost immediately challenge for a place at the top of this list. Others will no doubt follow.

So, without further ado, let's take a look at the top 20 Brazilian players in European football.

Honourable Mentions

Kaka (Real Madrid): Until recently, the former World Player of the Year would have been a shoe-in for this list, but has now been out of form long enough to justify exclusion.

Alex Teixeira (Shakhtar Donetsk): The former Vasco da Gama winger has enjoyed a fine campaign in Ukraine, but narrowly misses out on a place in the top 20.

Jonas (Valencia): A mixed campaign at the Mestalla has seen Jonas lose his place in the Brazil squad, and also in this list. He will hope, though, for a better year in 2013-14.

Luisao (Benfica): Had the list been made two or three seasons ago, the former Cruzeiro defender would have likely made the cut. Now, with his ageing years, he has been displaced by younger candidates.

Diego Alves (Valencia): Diego Alves almost became the second goalkeeper on our list, but missed out due to his lack of consistent first-team games this season.

Diego Costa (Atletico Madrid): Combative forward Diego Costa has won over many supporters this year—a year in which he made his Brazil debut. It was not enough, though, to make our top 20.

No. 20: Filipe Luis (Atletico Madrid)

Atletico Madrid full-back Filipe Luis has been an impressive performer for several years in La Liga and had arguably the best year of his career over the past 12 months.

Filipe attacks with vigour down the left flank, while remaining more solid than many of his colleagues in defence. Indeed, his performances this year have been enough to propel him into Felipão's Confederations Cup squad this summer.

Having been overlooked for so long by his nation, Filipe has finally been rewarded for several years of consistent showings.

No 19: Marquinhos (AS Roma)

Roma defender Marquinhos has been one of the best teenagers in Europe this season, coming into the side at 18-years-old to play a starring role.

Just over a year ago, the youngster was still playing at the Under-18 level for his Corinthians side, and when he moved on loan to Roma last summer, few expected him to play a major first-team role.

He has, though, been almost an ever-present in the league this campaign. With excellent reading of the game and impressive physical attributes, he looks to have a bright future ahead of him.

No. 18: Luiz Gustavo (Bayern)

Bayern central midfielder Luiz Gustavo is another to have forced his way into Felipão's Confederations Cup plans for this summer, but Gustavo is far from certain of his place at the World Cup next summer.

One of the best out-and-out anchors of the midfield in Europe, Luiz Gustavo has suffered due to a lack of opportunities in big games this season. His performances when he has played, though, have been enough to push him into international consideration.

With Lucas Leiva and Sandro hoping to push through their injury problems ahead of next year's competition, Luiz Gustavo must ensure that he has enough minutes on the pitch to demonstrate his talents.

No. 17: Julio Cesar (QPR)

Queens Park Rangers goalkeeper Julio Cesar has restored his reputation over the past 12 months, impressing for the West London club despite their calamitous relegation.

The giant shot-stopper had developed a reputation in his latter period at Inter Milan for being somewhat of a liability, but put those doubts to bed with a confident and assured season (for the most part) in England.

His performances since returning to the Brazil side in January have been nothing short of exemplary, and The Selecao's No. 1 shirt is now his to lose ahead of next summer's World Cup.

No. 16: Alex Sandro (Porto)

FC Porto left-back Alex Sandro is another player to have silenced his critics over the last 12 months, seizing on the opening created by the sale of Alvaro Pereira to become an important component of the Porto side.

A wonderful player going forward, his sheer pace and technique make him a nightmare for opposing full-backs to deal with when pushing forward on the overlap.

He may not be the biggest, but Alex Sandro looks to have improved his defensive awareness considerably over the past 12 months to become one of Europe's most respected young full-backs.

No. 15: Willian (Anzhi Makhachkala)

Former Shakhtar Donetsk attacking midfielder Willian shocked the footballing world when he moved to Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala for £30 million at the end of the January transfer window.

A skilful attacking midfielder used best cutting in onto his right foot from the left, Willian had been expected to move to one of Europe's elite clubs if he had waited until the summer.

The transfer to Anzhi has put his international ambitions on hold for the time being, but the Russian side are doubtless looking to make a serious dent in European competition in the coming years.

In Willian, they have a creative talent worth building a team around.

No. 14: Fernandinho (Shakhtar)

A former colleague of Willian's, Fernandinho has quietly built a reputation as one of Brazil's best box-to-box midfielders in recent years. He is very much the heartbeat of the Shakhtar side.

When he has been given international opportunities over the past couple of years, he has generally impressed. The inconsistent selections of Mano Menezes, though, saw him fall out the side, and he hasn't been given a look since the ascension of Felipão.

A vastly underrated player in his homeland, Fernandinho has continued to impress for Shakhtar, and there is no doubt that his performances in the UEFA Champions League over the past year will have caught the eye of some of the continent's biggest clubs.

No. 13: Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool)

Had this list been made six months ago, there is no way that Liverpool youngster Philippe Coutinho would have been considered. His first six months on Merseyside, though, have been nothing short of exceptional.

Coutinho's talent was never questioned. He had shown enough in spells at Vasco da Gama, Espanyol and, at times, Inter Milan to prove that he possessed an abundance of talent.

The key, though, was putting him in a position to use those abilities.

It is something that Brendan Rodgers' Liverpool side have done excellently thus far, and Coutinho has excelled.

The 20-year-old finished the season with three goals and five assists from his 12 appearances in a Liverpool shirt. The challenge now is to continue that form for a second campaign.

No. 12: Dante (FC Bayern)

Bayern Munich defender Dante has enjoyed an incredible first season with the Bavarian giants that could see him crowned a treble winner in the German Cup final this weekend.

The club had the best defensive record of any side in a top European league, and there can be no downplaying the tall Brazilian's role in that record. He was a true man-mountain.

While the Champions League final could have gone better for Dante, he will be forgiven his errors by the club's support based on his usual high standards.

He will now spend his summer with the national team, having been selected by Felipão for the Confederations Cup.

No. 11: Rafael Da Silva (Manchester United)

Right-back Rafael da Silva came of age in a Manchester United shirt this past season, putting in a series of consistently excellent performances en route to Premier League title success.

It was noticeable that the youngster put in several of his best performances against some of the English league's more physical sides—the very same teams who used to cause him frequent problems.

Rafael endured a rough summer in 2012, following a glaring error in an Olympic final defeat for Brazil, but put his head down and came back with the best season of his career.

That development will now be expected to continue under David Moyes in 2013-14.

No. 10: Hulk (Zenit)

Brazilian forward Hulk was a €60 million signing for Russian side Zenit St. Petersburg, but could already be on his way out of the club in the direction of Monaco, according to a report by ESPN.co.uk.

The powerful attacker has failed to settle in Russia and still divides opinion in his homeland, but he is widely respected among European football audiences.

Hulk will be on the fringes of the Brazil starting lineup at the Confederations Cup this summer and will hope to win over fans in Brazil with a series of good performances.

Play well this summer and he could secure his place at next year's World Cup.

No. 9: Sandro (Tottenham)

Tottenham midfielder Sandro was in excellent form for his side in the first half of the 2012-13 season, with his injury coinciding with Spurs' loss of form in the second half of the campaign.

When playing well, there are few defensive midfielders in the world better than the former Internacional player. He has the potential to rank among the very best in his position.

Although he will miss the Confederations Cup, he will have plenty of time to win back his place in the Brazil squad next year ahead of the World Cup.

The Selecao are in desperate need of a top-class defensive midfielder, and Sandro may just be the missing link.

No. 8: Ramires (Chelsea)

Chelsea midfielder Ramires is one of the best box-to-box midfielders in the world and has an extraordinary ability to produce his best showings on the big occasion.

Although blessed with incredible stamina, Ramires can at times make you ponder just how he reached such a high level. Indeed, he can verge on being clumsy in possession.

However, at times, there are moments of sublime control that make you wonder if you are witnessing the same player.

In general, though, he is excellent for club and country. His immense capacity to get up and down the pitch makes him an asset in both attack and defence, and he has been used extensively in both capacities.

After missing recent Brazil friendlies through injury, and failing to report for duty with the squad, he will now miss the Confederations Cup.

No. 7: Lucas Moura (PSG)

Paris Saint-Germain went to great lengths to secure the services of Brazilian youngster Lucas Moura last summer, and initial signs suggest he may have been worth the effort.

Before arriving in Paris, Lucas played an important role in Sao Paulo securing the Copa Sudamericana title late in 2012. Since January, he has begun to show his talents on a European stage.

Lucas is incredibly quick over short distances and combines no shortage of skill to that speed.

He may not be Neymar, but he also has a bright future ahead of him.

A glimpse of his true potential came in Champions League fixtures against Barcelona, where he consistently terrorised the Catalans' frail defensive unit.

No. 6: Hernanes (Lazio)

Lazio midfielder Hernanes had long been rated as one of the best in his position in the Serie A, but had struggled to nail down a regular spot in the Brazil national side.

That has all changed of late, though, with the former Sao Paulo player now a fixture in Luiz Felipe Scolari's lineups.

Hernanes is perhaps the midfielder that Brazil have desperately lacked in recent years, with a range of passing that few others in the country can match.

His presence against Russia and Italy in recent friendlies was a real steadying influence on the side.

A busy summer awaits at the Confederations Cup, where good performances will cement his place for an extended run in the side.

No. 5: Dani Alves (Barcelona)

The Barcelona full-back has consistently been one of the leading Brazilians in Europe for several years now, even if his form has dropped off somewhat this season.

To describe Alves as a defender is perhaps stretching the term somewhat, but he has arguably been one of the most influential figures in evolving the role of the modern full-back.

Over the past few years, his surges forward on the right flank have been an enduring facet of Barcelona's attacking play. When central areas have become congested, he has consistently appeared as an extra option on the flank.

He will likely drop out of the Brazil side post-2014, but will be an important member of the side for the immediate challenges ahead.

No. 4: Oscar (Chelsea)

Chelsea midfielder Oscar is just 21-years-old, but already is seen as the focal point of the Brazilian attack. His performances at international level thus far have tended to justify that faith shown in him.

Having moved to England last summer, he has set about adapting to a new country and a new style of play, and has done well thus far.

The Blues will expect more next campaign as his adaptation continues, but there have already been enough signs of excellence to keep the club's support happy for the time being.

One of the first names on the teamsheet for Brazil over the past 12 months, he looks set for a long and prosperous future with The Selecao.

No. 3: Marcelo (Real Madrid)

Real Madrid full-back Marcelo is undoubtedly one of the best in his position anywhere in the world. Or, at least, he is when he can keep his discipline in check.

A wonderful player moving forward, Marcelo holds a very similar philosophy to teammate Dani Alves when it comes to full-back play. Arguably, he is now performing at a higher level than his esteemed colleague.

Recently turned 25, Marcelo still has his best years ahead of him and should go on to dominate the Brazil left-back position for several years to come. He is by far the most outstanding candidate.

The biggest obstacle to his success will be himself.

No. 2: David Luiz (Chelsea)

Chelsea defender David Luiz has made more than his fair share of defensive errors in his time in England, but has just completed what has undoubtedly been his best season in a blue shirt.

Although the Brazilian spent much of the campaign in midfield, there is no doubting that his best position remains at centre-back. When focused, he has all the attributes to be one of the very best defenders in the game.

This season, when used in defence, that is exactly what he has been. Luiz is a leader and has become a highly influential player to both Brazil and Chelsea.

The criticism was well deserved at the time, but it is now only fair to praise the player for his extended spell of excellence.

No. 1: Thiago Silva (PSG)

Is Thiago Silva the best defender in world football? Opinions will vary, but it is not a very difficult argument to make.

A marvellous reader of the game—even before considering his excellent technical and physical abilities—the capture of Thiago has been a major factor in the rise of PSG as a force in European football.

As Brazil's captain, he will be hoping to lead his country to improved performances in the Confederations Cup this summer, where he will once more strike up a partnership with David Luiz.

While Brazilian defenders often suffer criticism for their lack of concentration in the defensive arts, Thiago Silva is doing his best to ensure that the country's zagueiros get the credit they deserve.