Why is Brazil so good at soccer? Explaining reasons behind South American power's tradition of success

Brazil won the World Cup five times. Pele popularised the term 'joga bonito' - beautiful game. Italy won four World Cups, Germany four times, Argentina two, Uruguay two and France two. Brazil beat South Korea 4-1 in the Round of 16.

Brazil's football team is renowned for its defensive play. The team has conceded one goal or less in 30 consecutive games. Three of Brazil's five World Cup triumphs came in the four tournaments from 1958. Tite was a defensive manager before taking over in 2016. He set up Corinthians when they won the Copa Libertadores in 2010. Brazil invented the back four in 1958 and used it until the World cup semifinal. It was partly a response to the despair the nation felt after losing the 1950 final to Uruguay. They followed up by losing 4-2 to Hungary in 1954.

Pele was voted the best player of the 20th century by FIFA's grand jury and its magazine readers. Six Brazilians are in the top 12, with three of them in top seven.

Manuel Francisco dos Santos won the player of the tournament and Golden Boot during the 1962 World Cup. The Estadio Nacional Mane Garrincha is named after him.

Jair Ventura Filho played for Brazil at three World Cups. He is best known for his Afro hairstyle and his attacking skills.

Pele is considered the greatest player of all time. He won the World Cup in 1958, 1962 and 1970. Edson Arantes do Nascimento is Brazil's current captain.

Eduardo Goncalves de Andrade played at the 1966 and 1970 World Cup finals with Pele. He scored 19 goals in one month between June 1968 and August 1969.

Socrates Brasileiro Sampaio de Souza Vieira de Oliveira was captain at the 1982 World Cup and scored 22 times in 60 international games. He was ahead of his time in taking a penalty without a run-up.

Zico played at the 1978, 1982 and 1986 World Cups. He is among the highest goalscorers from direct free-kicks of all time. Arthur Antunes Coimbra has been a manager of Japan, Iraq, Fenerbahce and Olympiacos.

Ronaldo de Assis Moreira explains why Brazil is so good at soccer. Ronaldinho was the FIFA World Player of the Year in 2004 and 2005 and the Ballon d'Or winner in the second of those years. He was a key figure in Brazil's Copa America and World Cup triumphs.

Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite beat Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi to the 2007 Ballon d'Or. Kaka was a key member of Brazil's 2002 World Cup-winning squad and the 2006 and 2010 World Cups.

Ronaldo Luis Nazario de Lima won the World Cup at the age of 21. He is the second-highest World cup goalscorer of all time, three ahead of Pele and one behind Miroslav Klose.

Neymar has seven World Cup goals and is on course to become the most expensive player in the world. He needs to score two more goals to surpass Pele's record of 77 for his country.

Brazilian footballers have long full names, while their nicknames are shortened versions. The tradition makes the working week easier for shirt-printers and fans. The players' names are also added to replicas. Brazil is a great soccer team.

There are 1,219 Brazilians playing abroad in 2022. Portugal is their most popular destination. Albania, Azerbaijan, Angola, Kazakhstan and San Marino are also home to Brazilian players. Pele, Socrates, Ronaldo, Thiago Silva and Marquinhos have played in Europe. There were 34 Brazilian players in the Champions League Round of 16 last season. There are many Brazil players who have also played for other countries. They include Deco, Diego Costa, Jorginho, Emerson Palmieri and Rafael Toloi. Brazil is the greatest exporter of footballers in world.

Brazil has won the World Cup on five of the seven occasions when it has reached the final. It has also hosted the tournament twice, in 1950 and 2014.

Brazil is a soccer power. It has won the World Cup on several occasions.