The 24 Best Santos FC Players of All Time

Vote for the greatest players in Santos FC's history, from the Pelé-led golden age to the modern stars of the Vila Belmiro.

1. 1
   Neymar

   Brazilian forward who emerged from Santos's famous academy to announce himself as the heir to Pelé's legacy, scoring 136 goals before his world-defining move to Barcelona.
   1000pts
2. 2
   Pelé

   The greatest footballer of all time spent virtually his entire professional career at Santos, winning 10 Campeonato Paulista titles, two Libertadores, and two Intercontinental Cups in a transcendent 18-year partnership.
   856pts
3. 3
   Edu

   Left winger who scored 183 goals in 584 matches for Santos between 1966 and 1976, a 1970 World Cup winner who debuted for Brazil at 16.
   821pts
4. 4
   Marcos Leonardo

   Academy striker who scored 43 league and state goals for Santos from 2020 to 2024 and reached the 2020 Copa Libertadores final as a teenager.
   694pts
5. 5
   Mengálvio

   Brazilian inside forward who was part of Santos's extraordinary world-conquering squad of the 1960s, a technically skilled player who contributed consistently alongside Pelé.
   641pts
6. 6
   Giovanni

   Elegant attacking midfielder nicknamed 'Messias' who scored 60 goals in 79 league games and led Santos to the 1995 Brasileirão final.
   592pts
7. 7
   Gilmar

   Brazilian goalkeeper who was the last line of defence for both Santos and the Brazilian national side across two World Cups, considered the finest keeper of his generation in South America.
   582pts
8. 8
   Elano

   Midfielder who won the 2002 and 2004 Brasileirão titles in his first Santos spell and returned to win the 2011 Copa Libertadores.
   513pts
9. 9
   Paulo Henrique Ganso

   Left-footed playmaker who formed a celebrated partnership with Neymar, winning the 2010 Copa do Brasil and the 2011 Copa Libertadores.
   513pts
10. 10
    Coutinho

    Brazilian forward who was Santos's top scorer in the 1950s–60s and a crucial part of Pelé's world-conquering team, his partnership with the great man delivering two Copa Libertadores titles.
    513pts
11. 11
    Rodrygo

    Brazilian forward who came through Santos's academy and immediately attracted Real Madrid's attention, showcasing the finishing and composure that would make him a future superstar.
    513pts
12. 12
    Juary

    Striker famous for dancing round the corner flag who scored the goals of the 'Meninos da Vila' side that won the 1978 Campeonato Paulista.
    434pts
13. 13
    Carlos Alberto Torres

    Captain of the 1970 World Cup winners who spent eight seasons at Santos from 1966 to 1974, playing more than 440 matches alongside Pelé.
    434pts
14. 14
    Edu Dracena

    Centre-back and captain who lifted the 2011 Copa Libertadores and three straight Campeonato Paulista titles with Santos from 2010 to 2012.
    434pts
15. 15
    Renato

    Midfielder and captain who made more than 300 league and state appearances across two Santos spells, winning the 2002 and 2004 Brazilian titles.
    342pts
16. 16
    Zito

    Brazilian midfielder who was the quiet engine of Santos's dominant 1960s side, a technically superb organizer who won two World Cups and helped the club win 11 state championships.
    342pts
17. 17
    Pepe

    Brazilian left winger who scored 405 goals in 750 matches for Santos from 1954 to 1969, second only to Pelé in the club's all-time scoring charts.
    342pts
18. 18
    Ricardo Oliveira

    Striker who scored 58 league and state goals in his second Santos spell and was the 2015 Brasileirão top scorer.
    342pts
19. 19
    Dorval

    Brazilian right-winger who formed a feared partnership with Pelé in Santos's legendary Copa Libertadores-winning sides of 1962 and 1963, his pace and crossing were fundamental to the team's attacking style.
    342pts
20. 20
    Clodoaldo

    Santos academy midfielder who played more than 500 matches for the club from 1966 to 1979 and won the 1970 World Cup with Brazil.
    342pts
21. 21
    Robinho

    Brazilian forward of electric dribbling ability who was Santos's most thrilling attacker before his big-money move to Real Madrid, often compared to Pelé for his skill at the same club.
    233pts
22. 22
    Serginho Chulapa

    Powerful centre-forward who scored 32 goals in 36 league games in his first Santos spell, including the winner in the 1984 Paulista final.
    233pts
23. 23
    Lima

    Versatile defender and midfielder of Pelé's Santos in the 1960s who won two Copa Libertadores and two Intercontinental Cups and was capped by Brazil at the 1966 World Cup.
    233pts
24. 24
    Diego

    Playmaker who was 17 when he and Robinho led Santos to the 2002 Brasileirão title, the club's first national crown in 34 years.
    0pts

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