Ranking the Top 5 Brazilians to Play in El Clasico
Making a ranking of the best Brazilians ever to play in a Clasico is subjective, and as such, some wonderful football players don't make the cut here.
Barcelona's Rivaldo, a player who was always up for the biggest games, is not on the list.
Nor is Marcelo or Roberto Carlos, two wonderful left-backs for Real Madrid over the course of the last few years.
The players have been ranked by their ability to shape world football's biggest club fixture and the influence they've had on the same.
Don't forget to leave your thoughts in the comments section below.
5. Kaka
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Kaka joined Real Madrid in 2009, two years after being crowned World Player of the Year while at AC Milan.
A €70 million offer for the player was too good for the Italians to turn down despite the gaping hole Kaka's sale would leave in their team.
The Brazilian spent four good years at the Santiago Bernabeu, and despite often coming second best to Barcelona in terms of results during that time, there were flashes of brilliance from the player in this fixture.
4. Neymar
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Neymar is one of the newest Brazilians to play in El Clasico, but he has certainly made his mark already.
A goal in his debut Clasico at Camp Nou in 2013 endeared him to the locals—as did another at the Santiago Bernabeu last season, even though that one was ultimately in vain with Real running out 3-1 winners.
Never one to shy away from the responsibility in the most important fixtures, Neymar clearly enjoys the biggest of stages and has already sent a guarded warning to Madrid not to be too confident in the first Clasico of 2015/16.
Joaquim Piera of Sport relayed his words:
"I'm happy to play the Clasico again. Madrid suit me, I've already scored various goals, but now it's not enough for me to score just one.
My family and friends flipped out the first time they saw Barcelona-Madrid, they were all in the stands.
I always dreamed of playing in games like this.
"
Neymar will be looking to make it four wins out of five Clasicos that he has played in, and who'd bet against it on current form?
3. Romario
3 of 5Romario was the star of the show in 1994 when a Manita—a 5-0 victory for Barcelona—had Camp Nou in raptures.
Johan Cruyff's Dream Team tore Los Blancos apart, with the Brazilian playing chief destroyer.
Romario was always the poacher supreme, of course, and he was never better than in this particular Clasico.
Although Barca were only 1-0 up by the break, courtesy of his 24th-minute opener, the Blaugrana went into overdrive in an immaculate display of incisive attacking football in the second half.
Romario completed a hat-trick in the 81st minute to ensure his name would be written all over the match.
Power, pace and accuracy: He had it all in a small and dynamic package.
2. Ronaldo
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Ronaldo, O Fenomeno, was one of only a handful of players to successfully cross the Real-Barca divide.
This was probably due in no small part to a sojourn at Internazionale of Milan between leaving Catalonia and heading to the Spanish capital.
The powerful Brazilian centre-forward served both clubs with aplomb, and that he is still revered by both sets of fans speaks volumes as to his impact on both teams.
Goals for either side in El Clasico set him apart from his contemporaries and merely enhance his legend in this particular fixture.
1. Ronaldinho
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Before the arrival of Pep Guardiola as head coach in 2008, Barca enjoyed a golden period with Ronaldinho in the side.
The Brazilian toyed with many of the opponents he faced, including the Catalans' biggest adversaries.
Who could forget the fixture at the Santiago Bernabeu in 2005, when an absolute masterclass from a player at the peak of his powers even had the home fans on their feet applauding.
Remember, too, that Real had the likes of Ronaldo, David Beckham and Zinedine Zidane playing for them at the time. Remind yourself of that special night here.
Standing ovations for Barcelona players at Real Madrid are reserved only for the best.
Ronaldinho fell into that bracket.
Unplayable.
