A Long and Proud Football Legacy
The uniform of the Brazilian men’s soccer team is perhaps the most iconic outfit in international sports. An exuberant, attacking, joyous way of playing built Brazil’s national team into a revered institution in the world of soccer, and the country has been buoyed by some of the greatest individual talents the world has ever seen.
From the original GOAT, Pelé, to the likes of Ronaldo Nazario, Ronaldinho, Neymar Jr., and Vini Jr., the torch-bearer of Brazilian soccer often plays a larger-than-life role in the nation and has a massive impact on the sport itself.
Is Endrick Next? Real Madrid’s teenage sensation, the 18-year old striker, may just lead Brazil’s next generation to greatness. The prodigy plays a prominent role in the exciting new release of 2024-25 Topps UEFA Club Competitions. Let’s take a look at the cards of the stars of Brazilian soccer, purveyors of Jogo Bonito.
Pelé
Icon among icons, Pelé is quite simply synonymous with football, voted Player of the Century in 2000. He scored 77 goals for Brazil in only 92 appearances, becoming the game’s first global superstar, and one of the most recognizable people in modern history. Former England captain Bobby Moore said of him, “Pele was the most complete player I’ve ever seen, he had everything.”
A true worldwide legend, it’s no surprise that Pelé cards are featured in many premium Topps brands, including Topps Transcendent, and of course, Topps Dynasty. The top sale of a Pelé Topps card was for the above-pictured 2016 Topps Dynasty 1/1 Autographed card that includes a fantastic Brazilian national team patch. It sold for $25,200 in 2022.
Pelé has also appeared in Topps vintage brand Allen & Ginter, including auto versions. A PSA 10 non-auto 2013 Allen & Ginter Pele is currently listed on Ebay for $79.
Ronaldo Nazario
Nicknamed O Fenômeno (The Phenomenon), Ronaldo Nazario took the sport by storm. “Ronaldo could start from the halfway line and the whole stadium would ignite,” his manager at Barcelona, Bobby Robson, once said. “He was the fastest thing I’ve ever seen running with the ball.”
Although slowed somewhat by injury, Ronaldo remains one of the greatest players in history. A two-time Ballon d’Or winner, Ronaldo played in two FIFA World Cup Finals, winning in 2002, and is still the second all-time leading scorer in World Cup Finals history.
Ronaldo made an appearance in 2022-23 Topps Dynasty UEFA Champions League. A landmark moment for Topps and the world’s most popular sport, this was the first time Topps Dynasty released a full soccer set. This patch auto card numbered to 10 sold for over $5,000 in February.
His Lost Rookie card is part of a fun 2022/23 release that includes the likes of Wayne Rooney and fellow Brazilian Cafu. An auto /10 sold for over $1,500 in 2023.
Ronaldinho
The mercurial playmaker joined Ronaldo Nazario in leading Brazil to World Cup glory in 2002. Also a two-time Ballon d’Or winner, Ronaldinho was Jogo Bonito personified. A dizzying dribbler, a brilliant technician, and a daring attacker, at his peak he played with a joy unlike most any other.
Former teammates Deco once said, “Ronaldinho was more talented than Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. When we didn’t know what to do, he would create chances to score.” A 1/1 signed 2022-23 Topps Dynasty UEFA Champions League Ronaldinho once sold for over $10,000.
Sometimes a card and a player just fit. This 2023/24 Topps Deco Ronaldinho is one such time. Featuring Ronaldinho from his dominant run with Barcelona, on top of the city, with trademark headband and the ball at his feet.
Neymar Jr.
Neymar Jr. is the all-time leading scorer for the Brazilian national team, with 79 goals in 128 appearances. Like Endrick, Neymar was a teenage prodigy who was seen as nothing short of a generational talent. Ronaldinho said of his heir, “His rise has not surprised me at all. Even when he was a kid his ability was obvious.”
Now 33, the UEFA Champions League winner is back in Brazil with Santos, his childhood club (and Pele’s). He’s aiming to lead Brazil again at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Along with Messi and CR7, as well as a rookie Kylian Mbappé, Neymar’s 2017-18 Topps Chrome UCL card is a classic. Marking Chrome’s debut in European soccer, the stunning design created a new frontier for Topps and the world’s most popular sport. Neymar’s Red Refractor /10 sold for $4,800 in 2022.
Vini Jr.
Only 24, Vini Jr. has won three league titles with Real Madrid and two UEFA Champions League trophies. Tasked with bringing Brazil back to the top of the world game, the electric talent is one of the best players in the world. His 2023-24 Topps Chrome UEFA Club Competitions Global Attraction 1/1 Superfractor auto sold for $3,550 last September.
This year, Vini Jr. overtook Ronaldo Nazario for most Real Madrid goals scored by a Brazilian. He’s joined by Ronaldo on a beautiful Then & Now card from 2023-24 Topps Deco UEFA Club Competitions.
Next Up?
Can Endrick go onto greatness? Brazilian soccer coach and former Brazilian international player Fernando Diniz says he has “the potential to be one of the great talents.”
Only time will tell, but there’s no doubting his immense potential and quality. Endrick has a bright future ahead, tapping into a long and proud legacy in Brazil.
