Brazil national football team (Selecao)

In 1894, Brazil-born Brit Charles William Miller returned from boarding school in Southampton with two footballs, introducing football to Brazil for the first time.

Brazil are the most decorated national team of all time having won:

• 5 World Cups
• 8 Copa Americas
• 3 Confederations Cups

1970 and 1982 World Cup teams are widely considered the best ever.

Their first World Cup win came in 1958, defeating hosts Sweden 5 - 2, eight years after having been crushed by Uruguay in the final on home soil.

After further World Cup wins in 1962 and 1970 Brazilians would have to wait 24 years for their next victory - defeating Italy in the final of USA 1994. Despite being unfancied pre-tournament, they won for a fifth time in Japan and Korea 2002.

Brazil has produced some of the most exciting footballers ever including:

• Pel?, regarded by many as the best player ever
• Garrincha, a right winger, arguably the best dribbler of all time, sadly restricted by injury and alcoholism problems.
• Zico, a technically gifted free-kick specialist
• Socrates, a powerful midfield general and
• Ronaldo, who lead Brazil to victory in 2002

In recent years Brazil?s claim to be the true architects of the beautiful game has come under threat from Spain. They will be looking to put this notion to rest as they host the World Cup in 2014.