BRAZIL

Goalkeeping is in the family’s DNA. Alisson’s great grandfather played as a keeper in his home town club and his father wore the gloves in every match with his friends. His mother was also a goalkeeper, but in handball. And his older brother, Muriel, showed Alisson the way by turning pro and being a role model for him at Internacional. Alisson joined Roma in 2016 and has been at Liverpool since 2018, winning every possible trophy, including the Champions League. Religion plays a big part in his life, and there are videos of him baptising Roberto Firmino and Fred's wife. "There is a small distinction: I’m not religious, I’m a follower of Christ," he told Folha de São Paulo in 2020. "When we talk about religion, it’s very much tied to traditions and factors that somewhat tarnish the rich history of Christianity. Jesus is much more than religion.”

Now one of the world’s best centre-backs, Gabriel had a stuttering start to life in football. As a young teenager he left his São Paulo home to join Avaí’s academy, but returned after a week with homesickness. After speaking to his father, Gabriel called Avaí coach Diogo Fernandes who agreed to have him back. “We knew this could happen as the first problem a footballer faces is being far away from their family,” Diogo said in 2020. “We also knew that Avaí would be one of the few clubs that would accept Gabriel. He was skinny and very tall, a left-footer, but he was a bit soft in challenges and couldn’t head the ball too well. We were right in the end, though: he was the biggest transfer in Avaí history [when sold to Lille in 2017] and a superb player … He wasn’t built by talent, but by his will to improve his shortcomings and learn that he could surpass any difficulties life throws at him. We knew he could be a top player from the start.” After three years in France, he joined Arsenal for £27m. Known at the Emirates as Big Gabi, to avoid confusion with namesake Martinelli.

Described as “a leader on and off the field” by his club manager, Luis Enrique, Marquinhos has been one of the best in his position for more than a decade, shining since he joined PSG from Roma in 2013. As a boy he enjoyed playing in goal; marshalling the defence has always been in his nature. Now, as Ancelotti’s international captain, he will be in charge of lifting the trophy if Brazil win it this summer. He had won 10 Ligue 1 titles by the time he finally laid hands on the Champions League trophy – for the first time – last year, and praised Luis Enrique for making it happen. "He is certainly one of the best coaches in the world, and he shows that to us every day. He is a very demanding coach, very clear with the players, and he always brings something extra.”

Almost everyone in Brazil knew what was coming from Viní Jr, right from the start. The hype began when he was a pre-teen at Flamengo, and he delivered. In 2017, at 17, he agreed a £39m move to Real Madrid, where he grew into the symbol of the team’s success post-Cristiano Ronaldo. Form hasn’t always been consistent, including with the Seleção, but if there is one man who knows how to get the best out of him it is Carlo Ancelotti. In 2024, Vinícius said of his then club manager: “He's done everything for me. He's always given me confidence, told me off when I needed it. He cares about me as much as I care about him. He's changed me as a player, not on the pitch, but in the way I think.” He has repeatedly been the victim of racist abuse in La Liga, and has repeatedly spoken out against it. He said in 2024: “I just want to play football but it’s hard to move forward … I feel less and less like playing. But it never crossed my mind [to leave Spain] because if I leave Spain I give the racists exactly what they want.”

At the age of three Guimarães was in hospital with pneumonia, and again two years later. Doctors encouraged his parents to get him active to help his recovery and strengthen his lungs. First they tried swimming, but he didn’t like it. Then came football, and he didn’t look back. It was a tough road to the top of the game though. At 16 he joined Audax in São Paulo, where, he told UOL in 2022, “I shared a room with 22 other boys, some rats, and a few leaks.” He severely doubted himself at Audax, crippled by nerves, and said he owed everything to his coach there, Fernando Diniz. “I used to be terrified of playing soccer, feeling sick and even vomiting before games, skinny as a rail, with no strength whatsoever, listening to Diniz tell me 'you're going to be a spectacular player'. And I just thought 'this guy is crazy'. He told me I would be good at any profession I chose because I was dedicated and determined … He's a unique guy, a fundamental person. I root for him and we're still in touch.” Guimarães’s club future is unclear amid links to Manchester United and Chelsea.