Of all the soccer playing nations, none has captured the imagination of the world like Brazil. The majority of soccer fans would pick the selecao as their second choice team and it's easy to see why. Raised on a commitment to free-flowing, attacking soccer, various Brazilian teams have thrilled spectators throughout the world over the years.
Many countries can claim to have had great sides in the past but none have had an era of success quite like the one Brazil enjoyed between 1958 and 1970. The only nation never to have missed a World Cup, their finest achievements in the competition came in that period.
In 12 years they racked up three World Cup titles and brought to the attention of the world some of the greatest players ever to have graced a soccer pitch. In 1958 they triumphed in Sweden thanks to the emergence of a mercurially talented 17-year-old by the name of Pele. Four years later they won again but, with Pele injured early on, it was Garrincha who stole the show.
Brazil struggled in 1966 but came back with a bang in Mexico with what many regard to be the greatest team of all time. Pele, Rivelino, Jairzinho and Tostao were among the stars involved but it was the team ethos that was so impressive. The players shared an incredible understanding with one another that their opponents simply could not match. Fittingly they kept the Jules Rimet trophy after the final as it was the third time they had won it.
Two more World Cup victories have followed for Brazil in 1994 and 2002 and they remain favourites for almost every tournament they compete in. They may never have recaptured the magic of the 1970 side but with the country still continuing to turn out an outrageous number of top class players there is always a chance they will again.