Top 10 footballers you forgot played for Sao Paulo FC

These players have done exceptionally well in their career

Sao Paulo FC are one of the most successful and storied football clubs in Brazil. Over the years, the club has produced a plethora of talented players who have left an indelible mark on the sport, with some of them becoming global icons. From the legendary goalkeeper Rogerio Ceni, to the prolific striker Luis Fabiano, Sao Paulo FC has had its fair share of world-class players. These players have contributed to the club's success, winning numerous domestic and international titles and earning the respect and admiration of fans around the world.

While some of these players have become household names around the world, there are also those who have been overlooked or forgotten, yet have made significant contributions to the club's success.

These forgotten players played during different eras of Sao Paulo FC's history and left an indelible mark on the club, even if they didn't receive the recognition they deserved. Through their talent, passion, and dedication, these forgotten players have helped establish São Paulo FC as one of the most successful and revered football clubs in Brazil and the world.

Here are the top 10 footballers who you forgot played for Sao Paulo FC.

10. Alexandre Pato (2014-2015, 2019-2020)

As part of a player exchange deal between Sao Paulo and Corinthians in February 2014, Pato transferred to Tricolor and played for them until December 2015, while Jádson made a permanent move to Corinthians. Pato later rejoined Sao Paulo in 2019, where he played a total of 105 matches across both spells and scored 32 goals for the club.

9. Denilson (1994-1998)

Denílson, a former Brazilian footballer, started his senior career at a young age of 17 with Sao Paulo FC, his local club. He made his debut appearance in the 1994 Copa CONMEBOL and helped his team win the championship. Denílson remained with Sao Paulo for four years, during which he played 191 matches and scored 26 goals, establishing himself as a key player for the club. His pace, dribbling ability, and impressive technique caught the attention of several European clubs, including Real Betis, who signed him in 1998 for a world-record fee at the time.

8. Rivaldo (2011)

Sao Paulo signed Rivaldo on 23 January 2011, and he made an immediate impact by scoring a memorable goal on his debut against Linense in the First Division. Although his time with the club was short, Rivaldo played 30 matches during his loan spell, demonstrating his skill and experience in midfield. He contributed to the team with five goals, highlighting his attacking abilities and his value to the team. Despite the brief nature of his stint, Rivaldo's time at Sao Paulo remains a memorable moment in the club's history, and his impact is still felt among the fans today.

7. Juanfran (2019-2021)

Juanfran signed a contract with Sao Paulo FC on 3 August 2019 that was initially set to expire in December 2020. He became the second Spanish player to represent the Brazilian club. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Juanfran played for a second season with the Tricolor. However, he was released in February 2021, having played a total of 56 matches for the club. His departure marked the end of a brief but memorable stint with Sao Paulo FC.

6. Cafu (1989-1995)

Cafu is a legendary player who made a significant impact during his time with São Paulo FC. He joined the club in 1989 and played for them until 1995, during which he helped the team win numerous titles, including the Copa Libertadores and Intercontinental Cup in 1992 and 1993. Cafu's impressive performances with São Paulo earned him a call-up to the Brazilian national team, and he went on to become one of the most successful players in the country's history. His legacy at Sao Paulo FC remains strong to this day, and he is regarded as one of the greatest players to have ever played for the club.

5. Adriano (2008)

Adriano, a renowned Brazilian striker known as "The Emperor," signed a loan deal with Sao Paulo FC in 2008. The move followed his successful stint at Italian club Internazionale. Despite being at the peak of his career, Adriano had a tough time reproducing his previous form at Sao Paulo. The striker managed to score 6 goals in 10 appearances for the club. The low goal-scoring rate was a disappointment for both Adriano and the Sao Paulo FC fans.

4. Kaka (2001-2003, 2014)

Kaka, began his football career at Sao Paulo FC, joining the club's youth academy in 1994. He made his senior team debut in 2001, and quickly established himself as a standout player with his impressive performances on the pitch. Kaka played a key role in the club's triumph in the 2002 Copa Libertadores, the most prestigious club competition in South America. His performances at São Paulo attracted the attention of European clubs, and in 2003 he was signed by AC Milan in Italy. However, Kaka returned to Sao Paulo on loan in 2014 for a brief stint, helping the team reach the semifinals of the Copa Sudamericana.

3. Eder Militao (2017-2018)

Eder Militao began his career as a youth player at Sao Paulo FC, before making his senior debut in 2017. He quickly became a regular starter in the team due to his impressive performances and versatility. During his one and a half seasons with the club, Militao played primarily as a centre-back, but also filled in at right-back and defensive midfield.

His solid defensive abilities and impressive speed caught the attention of European clubs, and in January 2019, he signed a pre-contract agreement with Real Madrid. Despite only playing 57 matches for Sao Paulo, Militao's performances earned him a move to one of the biggest clubs in the world.

2. Casemiro (2010-2013)

Casemiro joined Sao Paulo FC's youth academy in 2002 at the age of 10. He progressed through the ranks and made his first-team debut in 2010 at the age of 18. He quickly became a regular in the team and helped Sao Paulo win the Copa Sudamericana in 2012. Casemiro's performances attracted the attention of Spanish giants Real Madrid, who signed him in 2013.

During his time at São Paulo, Casemiro played 112 matches and scored 11 goals. He was known for his physicality and defensive abilities in midfield. His performances earned him a call-up to the Brazilian national team in 2011, and he has since become a regular for the Selecao. Casemiro is considered one of the best defensive midfielders in the world, and his time at Sao Paulo helped lay the foundation for his success at the highest level of the sport.

1. Antony (2018-2020)

Antony Matheus dos Santos, commonly known as Antony, played as a winger for Sao Paulo FC from 2017 to 2020. He made his professional debut in 2018 and quickly became a key player for the team. In his Sao Paulo club career, Antony scored 6 goals. His impressive performances earned him a move to Ajax Amsterdam in the Netherlands in 2020. During his time at Sao Paulo FC, Antony also represented the Brazilian national team at various youth levels. Antony currently plays for Manchester United.