In the annals of football history, Brazil stands unrivaled in success: no other nation has achieved such a feat. The five World Cup titles--the most ever clinched by any team--adorn Brazilian triumphs; furthermore, they maintain exclusivity as participants in every tournament edition. Throughout time's passage, Brazil birthed transcendent players whose prowess etched indelible marks on world soccer; indeed, pundits often assert that their 1970 team epitomizes excellence--arguably standing as the paramount squad to grace this game. In their trophy room, they proudly display eight Copa América titles and four Confederations Cups.
Main trophies
World Cup: 5
Campeonato Sudamericano / Copa América: 9
Player records
Most games played: Cafu (142)
Top goalscorer: Pelé (77)
In 1914, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) founded the foundation of international football history in Brazil. The same year marked an intriguing milestone: a team solely comprised of players from São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro engaged in their inaugural official match against Exeter City; however, we are yet to uncover--with undeniable intrigue--the final score of that particular game. Brazil allegedly secured a 2-0 victory, yet contradicting sources vehemently assert the game culminated in a draw of 3-3.
In 1919, Brazil clinched its inaugural major trophy by vanquishing Uruguay in the South American Championship's (later referred to as Copa América) finals; a triumph repeated with a controversial 3-0 win over Paraguay in 1922. The talented striker Arthur Friedenreich—considered by numerous as football’s premier mixed-race icon—captained this victorious team. Brazil's home turf hosted both these championships.
The 16-year-old Pelé arrived in 1957, forever altering the course of Brazilian and world football history. His reputation - even at such a tender age - commanded enough strength to secure his inclusion in the prestigious 1958 World Cup squad; yet, it was merely an inkling of what would later become legend. For the high-flying Seleção, however, they experienced a haze-like passage through rest of the tournament: time seemed distorted--their performances both mesmerizing and fleeting. Dispatching Wales 1-0 in the quarter-finals, they subsequently triumphed over France and Sweden with a staggering score of 5-2 each. Pelé's instrumental performance yielded all six of his goals during the elimination phase; this feat catapulted Brazil to become not just champions but also marked them as history's first team winning World Cup outside their own continent. During a subsequent interview, Pelé - with tears streaming down his face - declared that the nation had indeed matured.
Brazil hosted their first World Cup in 64 years in 2014, a tournament that culminated with the Seleção experiencing its most humiliating defeat to date. The absence of Neymar due to injury and Thiago Silva because of suspension left an underpowered Brazilian team unable to contend with Germany's high-flying prowess. The first half concluded with the visitors in a leading position of 0-5, ultimately resulting in a final score of 1-7 by the end. Overwhelmed by their loss and unable to rally before the third-place match, Brazil succumbed to Netherlands with a scoreline of 0-3.
