Best Brazilian XI to have played in ISL ahead of Brazil vs India clash
Brazil will face India on 3rd October 2026.
A historic feat awaits Indian Football as Brazil are set to travel to India in October, to play an international friendly match against the Blue Tigers.
As officially confirmed by the All Indian Football Federation, the five times world champions are gearing up for a friendly match against the Blue Tigers on 3rd October 2026 at the Salt Lake Stadium.
This match will not only give fans in India an opportunity to watch their favourite footballing superstars but also give Indian football the much needed recognition and global exposure.
There are many Brazilian players who have featured in the Indian Super League (ISL) and left their mark in Indian Football. Over the years many Brazilian footballers made a huge impact for ISL clubs and entertained the fans with their quality of football.
In this article, we take a look at the all-time Brazilian XI who have played in the ISL.
Roberto Volpato – GK
Roberto Volpato from Brazil, who is currently a retired footballer, played in the ISL in 2016-17 for Mumbai City FC. After leaving the Brazilian club Santo Andre, he joined the Islanders, where he played around six games and received two important clean sheets against NorthEast United FC and FC Pune City.
His leadership, quick reflexes and ability to organise the defensive setup for Mumbai City FC were really impressive despite him not featuring in many games for the Islanders, he was an integral part of the team.
Roberto Carlos – LB
Roberto Carlos is one of the greatest left backs in football history, as he also won the FIFA World Cup in 2002, and he played in the ISL for Delhi Dynamos. Although he just played in the ISL for just one season, his arrival was a major boost in Indian football.
His leadership and arrival at the ISL brought global attention to the ISL, which made Roberto Carlos the most decorated left back in ISL history as well.
Lúcio- CB
Brazilian World Cup winner Lúcio has also featured in the ISL as he played for FC Goa during the early years of the Indian Super League and added immense experience to the defensive backline.
His strong defensive action and commanding ability to shape up the defence made him an instant choice in the XI as the former Inter Milan & Bayern Munich legend helped Indian football with great exposure.
Mailson Alves – CB
Mailson Alves is one of the standout performers in the ISL, as he played for Chennaiyin FC and also for Northeast United FC. The Brazilian centre-back, is a two-time ISL champion with the Marina Machans in 2015 & 2018.
He was very strong physically and also very comfortable with the ball and always ready to put his all for his respective team.
Léo Moura – RB
The legendary right back from Brazil, Leo Moura, also played in the ISL as he joined FC Goa in 2015 following his departure from Flamengo, where he was the captain of his team and he also spent his final playing time in India with the Gaurs.
He was one of the most consistent performers in the ISL with his great technical ability and immense quality to run the football game from the right-back position.
Elano – CM
Elano was not just another foreign player who played in the Indian Super League, but the Brazilian midfielder was one of the best attacking midfield options who was also a very good box-to-box player that the ISL has ever seen.
His passion for the badge and technical ability with the ball made him very special. The former Manchester City player was very consistent with his performances in the league.
Playing mainly as an attacking midfield option, he scored multiple goals for Chennaiyin FC, where he left his mark, and his impact made the ISL popular among football fans.
Joao Victor – CDM
Talking about the defensive midfielders, who can really dictate the tempo of the game and slow down the game when the team needed the most, then Joao Victor is the name that emerges.
He was the captain of Hyderabad FC and won the ISL with the Nizams in 2022 under Manolo Marquez and played a very integral part in the midfield as he was one of the most consistent players in any team.
Rafael Crivellaro – CM
Another Brazilian who played for Chennaiyin FC was Rafael Crivellaro, he not only played for the Marina Machans but also secured game time for Jamshedpur FC, being one of the most decorated players for both of the teams.
The former player from Empoli possesed the ability to control the game and also had creativity as he provided his teammates multiple scoring opportunities.
Diego Mauricio – LW
Diego Mauricio is an Odisha FC legend and most consistent Brazilian forwards in ISL history as he scored multiple goals for the Juggernauts and also won the Super Cup with them in the 2022-23 season.
Not only for Odisha, but he also featured for Mumbai City FC, where he played just 11 games for the Islanders, but if we look at his football career, we can visibly see that his best version was with the Juggernauts.
Whether leading the attack or playing and partnering up with other forward players he has always been a difficult player for the opponents defence as he was very physical with the ball.
Marcelinho – RW
Marcelinho is widely known as the most technical player in the ISL history and also has a mix of Brazilian flair and Spanish tiki-taka play style.
During his period with Delhi Dynamos and Hyderabad FC, he produced countless good games in the league which made his name very special, as his dribbling, creativity and pace for goal made him a nightmare for the defenders, and he also won the ISL Golden Boot.
With his ability to unlock defences, arrive late in the box, and step up in crunch situations, Marcelinho remains one of the most complete CAMs the ISL has ever seen — making him a natural pick in any all-time XI.
Cleiton Silva – ST
The East Bengal FC legend, Cleiton Silva quickly became one of the most feared forwards of Indian Football as he made his way into the East Bengal FC team after leaving Bengaluru FC where he played two seasons and scored 19 goals.
Following his stint with the Red and Gold, Cleiton Silva soon became a fan favourite player at East Bengal FC. Cleiton has won the Super Cup with them in the 2022 season and in his 87 appearances, he found the back of the net 27 times for the Torchbearers
He played a major role with the Torchbearers and became the point of difference to prove himself at the very highest level of Indian football.
When will India play Brazil in the international friendly?
India will face Brazil in an international friendly on 3 October 2026 at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata.
Which Brazilian players have made the biggest impact in the ISL?
Some of the biggest Brazilian names to play in the ISL include Roberto Carlos, Lúcio, Elano, Marcelinho, Diego Mauricio, Cleiton Silva, Rafael Crivellaro, João Victor, Mailson Alves, Léo Moura and Roberto Volpato.
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Rohit Mistri is a sports journalist from Kolkata with over two years of experience in the field. He has extensively covered Indian football, including major tournaments such as the Calcutta Football League and the Indian Super League. His work spans on-ground reporting, match coverage, and in-depth storytelling, along with interviews of prominent sporting personalities. Rohit brings strong communication skills and a deep passion for sports narratives to everything he writes.