Greatest South American Sports Stars

Brazilian·Football

Pelé

Three-time World Cup winner widely considered the greatest footballer of all time. Scored 757 career goals for Santos and Brazil.

757 career goals · 77 international goals

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2

DM

Argentine·Football

Diego Maradona

Argentine footballer widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, famous for leading Argentina to 1986 World Cup victory with

345 career goals · 34 international goals

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3

LM

Argentine·Football

Lionel Messi

Argentine footballer widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, known for his dribbling, vision, and goal-scoring ability.

838 career goals · 112 international goals

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4

R

Brazilian·Football

Ronaldinho

The most joyful footballer who ever played — two Ballon d'Or, a World Cup and the Barcelona performance that made Real Madrid fans applaud.

233 career goals · 33 international goals

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5

AS

Brazilian·Formula 1

Ayrton Senna

Brazilian Formula 1 racing driver widely regarded as one of the greatest of all time, winning three World Championships before his tragic de

3× World Champion · 41 race wins

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6

EF

Brazilian·Formula 1

Emerson Fittipaldi

Two-time Formula One World Champion from Brazil whose calm brilliance and smooth driving style brought Lotus and McLaren glory in the early

2× World Champion · 14 race wins

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7

NP

Brazilian·Formula 1

Nelson Piquet

Brazilian Formula 1 driver who won three World Championships (1981, 1983, 1987) and is considered one of the greatest drivers of the 1980s e

3× World Champion · 23 race wins

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8

GS

Argentine·Tennis

Gabriela Sabatini

Argentina's tennis sweetheart whose elegance and talent made her one of the 1990s' most beloved champions.

1 Grand Slams · 27 titles

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9

JM

Argentine·Formula 1

Juan Manuel Fangio

Argentine Formula 1 racing driver widely regarded as one of the greatest of all time, winning five World Championships in the 1950s.

5× World Champion · 24 race wins

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10

NJ

Brazilian·Football

Neymar Jr.

Brazilian forward and one of the world's most skillful players, known for his dribbling, creativity, and flair on the pitch.

443 career goals · 79 international goals

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11

K

Brazilian·Football

Kaká

Brazilian footballer who won the 2007 Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year, known for his elegant playmaking and technical brillian

204 career goals · 29 international goals

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12

RC

Brazilian·Football

Roberto Carlos

Brazilian footballer widely regarded as one of the greatest left-backs of all time, known for his powerful free-kicks and attacking style at

69 career goals · 11 international goals

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13

C

Brazilian·Football

Cafu

Brazilian football right-back widely regarded as one of the greatest full-backs in history, known for his attacking prowess and World Cup su

45 career goals · 5 international goals

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14

R

Brazilian·Football

Rivaldo

Brazil's World Cup winner and Ballon d'Or holder whose bicycle kick goals and creative brilliance lit up the late 1990s.

382 career goals · 35 international goals

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15

RF

Colombian·Football

Radamel Falcao

Colombian striker widely regarded as one of the greatest goalscorers of his generation, famous for his clinical finishing and aerial ability

340 career goals · 36 international goals

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16

S

Brazilian·Football

Sócrates

Brazilian footballer and intellectual known as 'Doctor Socrates', captained Brazil in two World Cups and was a key figure in Corinthians Dem

22 career goals · 22 international goals

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17

CT

Argentine·Football

Carlos Tevez

Argentine striker known for his work rate, tenacity, and ability to score crucial goals. Won major trophies in Argentina, Brazil, England, a

309 career goals · 13 international goals

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18

LS

Uruguayan·Football

Luis Suárez

Luis Alberto Suárez Díaz was born in Salto, Uruguay in 1987 and became one of the most prolific and controversial strikers in Premier League

580 career goals · 69 international goals

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19

NO

Argentine·Football

Nicolás Otamendi

Uncompromising Argentine centre-back and World Cup winner whose relentless defending and leadership made him one of the most reliable defend

4 international goals

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20

CB

Chilean·Football

Claudio Bravo

Agile and commanding Chilean goalkeeper who captained Chile to Copa América glory and was a Champions League winner with Barcelona.

2015× Champions League

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21

PA

Argentine·Football

Pablo Aimar

Argentine attacking midfielder and playmaker who won Olympic gold in 2004 and was known for his exceptional technical ability and vision on

125 career goals · 10 international goals

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22

JS

Argentine·Football

Juan Sebastián Verón

Imperious Argentine playmaker nicknamed 'La Brujita' whose sublime technique and vision graced Lazio, Manchester United and Inter Milan.

9 international goals

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23

R

Brazilian·Football

Raphinha

Brazilian winger known for his pace, dribbling, and crossing ability. Rose from Brazilian football to become a key player for Barcelona and

3 international goals · 2025× Champions League

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24

PC

Brazilian·Football

Philippe Coutinho

Brazilian attacking midfielder/winger known for long-range strikes and playmaking ability. Won Champions League with Bayern Munich and Copa

85 career goals · 21 international goals

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25

F

Brazilian·Football

Fabinho

Dominant Brazilian defensive midfielder whose interceptions and tactical discipline anchored Liverpool's midfield during their trophy-laden

1 international goals · 2019× Champions League

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26

SP

Venezuelan·Baseball

Salvador Perez

Venezuelan baseball catcher who became World Series MVP in 2015, leading Kansas City Royals to championship with exceptional defensive skill

230 home runs · 840 RBI

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27

JA

Venezuelan·Baseball

Jose Altuve

Venezuelan second baseman who became Houston Astros icon, 2017 AL MVP, World Series champion, and seven-time batting champion known for his

230 home runs · .0305 avg

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28

RC

Ecuadorian·Cycling

Richard Carapaz

Ecuadorian professional cyclist who became the first rider from Ecuador to win a Grand Tour, claiming the 2019 Giro d'Italia and Olympic gol

2019 grand tour wins

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29

MG

Argentine·Basketball

Manu Ginobili

Argentine basketball legend known for his flashy style, clutch performances, and key role in Argentina's 2004 Olympic gold and Spurs dynasty

4× champion · 13.3 ppg career

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30

BR

Brazilian·Volleyball

Bernardo Rezende

Brazilian volleyball coach known as 'Bernardinho', one of the most successful coaches in volleyball history with Olympic golds coaching both

4 Olympic golds

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31

GM

Brazilian·Surfing

Gabriel Medina

Three World Championship titles and a levitation photograph at the Paris 2024 Olympics that became one of sport's most iconic images.

3× World Champion

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32

BR

Brazilian·Volleyball

Bruno Rezende

Brazilian volleyball setter and Olympic champion, widely regarded as one of the best setters in the world with multiple Olympic and World Le

3 Olympic golds · 1 world titles

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33

SC

Brazilian·Volleyball

Sheilla Castro

Brazilian volleyball player and three-time Olympic gold medalist, widely regarded as one of the greatest opposite hitters in volleyball hist

3 Olympic golds

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34

YR

Venezuelan·Athletics

Yulimar Rojas

Venezuelan triple jumper and world record holder, Olympic champion at Tokyo 2020 with a jump of 15.67m, one of the greatest field athletes e

1 Olympic golds · 5 world titles

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35

YL

Brazilian·Volleyball

Yoandy Leal

Cuban-born Brazilian volleyball player and Olympic champion, known for his powerful attacking and key role in Brazil's 2016 Rio Olympics gol

2 Olympic golds · 2 world titles

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36

GV

Argentine·Tennis

Guillermo Vilas

Argentine legend with the most clay-court titles in history and a record-breaking career spanning decades.

4 Grand Slams · 62 titles

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37

AD

Brazilian·Surfing

Adriano de Souza

Brazilian professional surfer who won the 2015 WSL World Championship, becoming the first Brazilian to claim the men's world surfing title.

1× World Champion · 11 CT wins

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38

RA

Brazilian·Gymnastics

Rebeca Andrade

Brazilian artistic gymnast who became the first Brazilian woman to win Olympic gold in gymnastics, claiming vault gold at Paris 2024.

1 Olympic golds · 4 Olympic medals

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39

G

Brazilian·Volleyball

Giba

Three-time World Champion and three consecutive World League MVP awards — Giba is the greatest volleyball outside hitter in history.

1 Olympic golds

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40

TB

Brazilian·Athletics

Thiago Braz

Brazilian pole vaulter who won Olympic gold at Rio 2016 with an Olympic record of 6.03m, also claiming world championship silver and Olympic

1 Olympic golds · 1 world titles

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41

AP

Brazilian·MMA

Alexandre Pantoja

Brazilian mixed martial artist and UFC Flyweight Champion, known for his well-rounded fighting skills and championship reign in the 125-poun

29-4 · 3 title reigns

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42

GK

Brazilian·Tennis

Gustavo Kuerten

Brazil's Guga — three-time Roland Garros champion and one of clay tennis's all-time greats.

3 Grand Slams · 43 weeks at No.1

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43

IF

Brazilian·Surfing

Italo Ferreira

World Champion and Olympic gold medallist at Tokyo 2020 — Italo Ferreira's aerial surfing is the most spectacular in the current professiona

1× World Champion

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44

WD

Brazilian·Volleyball

Wallace de Souza

Brazilian volleyball outside hitter who won Olympic gold in 2016 and multiple FIVB World League titles, known for his powerful attacking.

1 Olympic golds

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45

RA

Venezuelan·Baseball

Ronald Acuña Jr.

Venezuelan baseball outfielder who became the fifth member of MLB's 40-40 club and won the 2023 NL MVP Award with the Atlanta Braves.

170 home runs · .0283 avg

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46

JD

Brazilian·MMA

Junior dos Santos

Brazilian mixed martial artist and former UFC Heavyweight Champion, known for his elite boxing skills and knockout power in MMA competition.

21-7

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47

DF

Brazilian·MMA

Deiveson Figueiredo

Brazilian mixed martial artist and former UFC Flyweight Champion, known for his knockout power and multiple title defenses in the flyweight

24-3-1 · 2 title reigns

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48

LD

Argentine·Volleyball

Luciano De Cecco

Argentine volleyball setter and captain who led Argentina to multiple FIVB World League medals and Olympic appearances, considered one of th

1 world titles

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49

EB

Colombian·Cycling

Egan Bernal

Colombian professional cyclist who became the youngest Tour de France winner in 110 years when he claimed victory in 2019 at age 22.

1× Tour de France · 1 grand tour wins

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50

AP

Brazilian·MMA

Alex Pereira

Brazilian mixed martial artist and former kickboxer, two-division UFC champion known for his devastating striking power and knockout ability

12-2 · 4 defences

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