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Brazilians are world football’s great nomads, and Australia has been no different to other countries in signing the South Americans.
But apart from a few shining lights, imports from the home of the samba kings have failed to fire in the A-League.
Brazil has won five FIFA World Cups and is the only nation to have played every tournament.
Its cavalcade of greats – Pele, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Romario, Garrincha, Jairzinho, Tostao, Socrates, Zico, Did, Rivaldo, Rivellinio, Roberto Carlos, Carlos Alberto Torres – to name but a few, are incomparable.
Both because of its success, its output and its style, Brazil is the greatest football nation on earth.
Its players are sought after for their flair, skill and ability to both delight and amaze.
So why have so few Brazilians have been successful in our A-League?
According to some reports, there are more than 1000 Brazilians playing professionally around the world, with around 800 of those playing in Europe.
Of course the best will gravitate to Europe, and often to other places like China and the Middle East where the financial rewards are greater.
But surely the A-League has some lure over some other destinations, such as lifestyle.
Is it our style of football that doesn’t suit Brazil players? Or has our scouting and recruiting let us down, meaning that we are not getting the ideal fits for the A-League?
Of course, there have been several Brazilians who have thrived down under.
Adelaide’s Cassio is a perfect example.
He joined the Reds in 2007 and has been one of the standout left backs in the competition ever since. His consistently impressive displays have caught the eye and earned calls for naturalisation and selection for the Socceroos.
Fred has been in and out of the A-League since he first signed for the Victory in 2006. He was one of the best players in the competition in his first season, helping Victory to an emphatic grand final win.
In 2008 he had a short loan stint with the Phoenix, and then returned full-time with the Heart in 2011. Injury has often plagued him recently but his overall contribution to the A-League has been undeniably positive and successful.
Henrique has also had his injury issues, but the tiny striker has been effective in his four years at the Roar. Two grand final wins and 15 goals in 53 appearances attest to that.
The man he replaced in Brisbane, Reinaldo started very strongly for the Roar in 2005 but perhaps wasn’t as successful in later years of his stint. Still, he did knock in 23 goals and was the club’s top goal scorer in the 2007-2008 season.
Juninho was at Sydney FC for just a short time but he had a decent impact.
Bruno Cazarine was at the Sky Blues for much longer and was hardly a fan favourite. But he did have his strengths and managed to score 17 goals.
Elsewhere there has been Alex Terra at the Heart, Robson at the Gold Coast, Fernando Rech and Cristiano at Adelaide and Guilherme Finkler at the Victory, who have all been effective in some ways.
Finkler is part of Ange Postecoglu’s new Victory machine and has already won some admirers.
So it would be incorrect to say that no Brazilians have made positive contributions to the A-League. But there are many more who have been failures, mediocre, ill suited to Australian football or just bad signings.
These include Ney Fabiano at Victory, Jefferson and Milson at Gold Coast, Alemao at Adelaide, Amaral and Andrezinho at Perth, George, Felipe and Diego at the Phoenix, the list goes on and on – Patrick, Alessandro, Marcinho, Cleberson etc.
Fabio has struggled massively at Sydney FC this season. Tiago Calvano struggled at the Newcastle Jets, subsequently departed and has yet to really impress down the F3.
Newcastle seems to be a place where Brazilian footballers go to wither.
Denni was a disappointment, the same as Tiago, while Bernardo Ribeiro has spent most of this season in the National Youth League. Hardly what you would want from a visa player.
Then there have been the massive disasters like Mario Jardel, and the Melbourne pair of Leandro Love and Ricardino.
Romario may be a legend but he was also a well-publicised flop in South Australia.
Maycon flattered to deceive at the Heart.
These have all been terrible.
However, that is often what happens when you rely on YouTube and Wikipedia too much for your scouting.
It appears that not too many are suited to the physical and robust nature of the A-League. Or they arrive here thinking it will be a breeze.
Of the 30 or more Brazilians to have graced our competition since 2005, a handful or so have truly thrived. Most have been non-events.
It’s not great odds when to it comes to mining football’s best talent pool.
Recruiters for the 2013-2014 season, consider yourselves warned.
Follow John Davidson on Twitter @johnnyddavidson
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