Unpacking The 2010 Brazil World Cup Roster: A Look Back At The Seleção In South Africa

Remember the buzz around the 2010 FIFA World Cup? That year, the world turned its eyes to South Africa, a very special place for such a grand event. Football fans everywhere were eager to see their favorite teams compete for the ultimate prize in soccer. Among the hopefuls, Brazil's national team, often called the Seleção, always stands out. People really wanted to know who made the cut for their squad, and that's exactly what we're going to explore right here.

It's almost like stepping back in time, isn't it? The year 2010 feels like a little while ago, a period when things like the first iPad came out, and popular TV shows were ending. For football enthusiasts, though, it was all about the beautiful game. The tournament itself ran from June 11th to July 11th, bringing together 32 national teams from across the globe. Each team, of course, had to register their chosen players, a truly big moment for any player hoping to represent their country.

This article will take you through the complete roster for the Brazil national soccer team in the South Africa 2010 World Cup. We'll look at the players, their jersey numbers, their positions on the field, their birth dates, and even the clubs they played for at that time. We'll also remember the coach who led this talented group. So, you know, get ready to recall some great football memories from that particular time.

Table of Contents

The Team Behind the Squad: Coach Dunga's Vision

Every great football team needs a strong leader on the sidelines, and for Brazil in 2010, that person was coach Dunga. He was the one who made the big decisions, including picking the 23 players who would wear the famous yellow and green jerseys. The announcement of this squad was, you know, a really significant event for the nation, as they hoped to add another World Cup title to their impressive collection.

Dunga's approach to the game was, in a way, often described as disciplined. He aimed to build a team that was not only skillful, which Brazil always is, but also very organized and tough to play against. His selections reflected this philosophy, bringing together a mix of experienced players and some younger talents. It was a rather interesting mix of footballing styles, that.

The coach's choices for the 2010 tournament were, you see, meant to give Brazil the best chance to go all the way. He had a clear idea of how he wanted the team to play, and the players he picked were those he felt could best carry out that plan. This was, basically, his vision for Brazil's journey in South Africa.

Brazil's 2010 World Cup Squad Details

The full list of players for Brazil's 2010 World Cup squad gives us a good look at the talent they had. These details apply at the tournament's start date, which was Friday, June 11th, 2010. We can find information about each player, including their jersey number, their position on the field, their date of birth, and the club they played for at that time. It's really quite a comprehensive set of facts.

Exploring this roster, you know, helps us remember the individuals who took part in that global football event. Each player had a specific role, and their club affiliations show where they were playing their regular football. It's a snapshot of Brazilian football at that very moment in history. For more deep details on player appearances, minutes played, goals, and assists, you can always explore resources like ESPN's 2010 Brazil FIFA World Cup roster, which offers a lot of extra information.

The team was made up of a mix of seasoned professionals and some rising stars, all picked by Dunga to represent their country. This group was, in some respects, seen as a strong contender for the title. Let's break down the squad by their positions on the pitch.

Goalkeepers: The Last Line of Defense

The goalkeepers are, basically, the protectors of the net, and Brazil had some good ones in 2010. Their job is to keep the ball out, a very important task in any football match. These players need sharp reflexes and a strong presence.

Number 1 was Julio Cesar Espindola. He was born on September 3, 1979. At the time of the World Cup, Julio Cesar played for Internazionale, a big club in Italy. He was, really, a key player for his club and brought that experience to the national team. His presence in goal gave the team a lot of confidence, you know, knowing he was there.

Another goalkeeper on the squad was Doni. He wore jersey number 12. Doni's full name is Donieber Alexander Marangon. He was born on October 22, 1979. Like Julio Cesar, Doni also played his club football in Italy, representing AS Roma. It's good to have, sort of, two strong options in that position.

The third goalkeeper was Heurelho Gomes. His jersey number was 22. Gomes was born on February 15, 1981. He played for Tottenham Hotspur, a club in England, at that time. Having three capable goalkeepers is, you know, usually a sign of a well-rounded squad, ready for any situation that might come up.

Defenders: The Backbone of the Team

The defenders are the ones who stop the opposing team from scoring. They form the backbone of the team, providing stability and strength at the back. Brazil, as a matter of fact, has always been known for producing talented defenders.

Starting with jersey number 2, we had Maicon Douglas Sisenando. He was born on July 26, 1981. Maicon, like Julio Cesar, played for Internazionale in Italy. He was known for his ability to go forward and contribute to attacks, as well as defend. He was, truly, a dynamic player on the right side of the field.

Thiago Silva, wearing number 3, was another important defender. He was born on September 22, 1984. At the time, Thiago Silva played for AC Milan, another top Italian club. He was, obviously, a very promising young center-back, known for his calm play and good reading of the game. His presence gave the defense a lot of solidity, you know.

Lucio, with jersey number 4, was a very experienced defender. His full name is Lucimar Ferreira da Silva. He was born on May 8, 1978. Lucio was the captain for Internazionale at the time and brought immense leadership to the Brazil squad. He was, in a way, a rock at the back, known for his strength and aerial ability.

Juan, wearing number 6, was also a central defender. His full name is Juan Silveira dos Santos. He was born on February 1, 1979. Juan played for AS Roma in Italy. He was, basically, a reliable and calm defender, good at tackling and distributing the ball from the back. It's always good to have, you know, a few solid options in central defense.

Michel Bastos, with jersey number 16, was a versatile player. He was born on August 2, 1983. Michel Bastos played for Lyon, a French club. He could play as a left-back or a left-midfielder, offering options for the coach. His ability to play in different positions was, honestly, quite useful for the team.

Daniel Alves, wearing number 13, was a right-back. He was born on May 6, 1983. Daniel Alves played for Barcelona, a Spanish giant. He was known for his attacking runs and crossing ability, adding a lot of width to Brazil's play. He was, actually, a very exciting player to watch on the wing.

Gilberto, with jersey number 14, was a left-back. His full name is Gilberto Aparecido da Silva. He was born on September 7, 1976. Gilberto played for Cruzeiro, a Brazilian club. He provided a steady presence on the left side of the defense, offering experience and calm play. His long throws were, in fact, quite a weapon too.

Luisão, wearing number 15, was another central defender. His full name is Luisão da Silva. He was born on February 13, 1981. Luisão played for Benfica, a Portuguese club. He was, like, a strong and commanding defender, good in the air and a tough opponent for any forward. Having a variety of defensive players gives the coach more choices, you know.

Midfielders: The Heart of the Play

The midfielders are the engine room of the team, connecting defense with attack. They control the pace of the game, win the ball, and create chances. Brazil, you know, always has a wealth of talent in this area.

Felipe Melo, with jersey number 5, was a defensive midfielder. He was born on June 26, 1983. Felipe Melo played for Fiorentina, an Italian club. He was, in a way, known for his tough tackling and strong presence in the middle of the park, breaking up opposition attacks. His energy was, really, a big part of the team's balance.

Elano Blumer, wearing number 7, was an attacking midfielder. He was born on June 14, 1981. Elano played for Galatasaray, a Turkish club. He was, basically, a creative player, good at passing and scoring goals from midfield. His ability to link up with the forwards was, honestly, quite important.

Kaká, with jersey number 10, was a global superstar and a central attacking midfielder. His full name is Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite. He was born on April 22, 1982. Kaká played for Real Madrid, a Spanish giant. He was, obviously, known for his dribbling, passing, and goal-scoring ability, a true playmaker for the team. Everyone knew, you know, about Kaká.

Gilberto Silva, wearing number 8, was a defensive midfielder. His full name is Gilberto Aparecido da Silva. He was born on October 7, 1976. Gilberto Silva played for Panathinaikos, a Greek club. He provided a calm and experienced presence in front of the defense, protecting the back line. He was, literally, a very steady player.

Júlio Baptista, with jersey number 19, was an attacking midfielder or forward. He was born on October 1, 1981. Júlio Baptista played for AS Roma in Italy. He was, like, a powerful player with a strong shot, offering another attacking option from midfield. His versatility was, in fact, quite useful.

Ramires, wearing number 18, was a dynamic midfielder. His full name is Ramires Santos do Nascimento. He was born on March 25, 1987. Ramires played for Benfica, a Portuguese club. He was, you know, known for his incredible work rate and energy, covering a lot of ground in midfield. He was a younger player, too, with a lot of potential.

Josué, with jersey number 17, was a defensive midfielder. His full name is Josué Anunciado de Oliveira. He was born on July 19, 1979. Josué played for VfL Wolfsburg, a German club. He provided a solid defensive shield, winning tackles and distributing the ball simply. He was, you know, a reliable choice in the center.

Kléberson, wearing number 20, was another midfielder. His full name is José Kléberson Pereira. He was born on June 19, 1979. Kléberson played for Flamengo, a Brazilian club. He offered experience and good passing skills in the midfield. It's always good to have, sort of, different types of players in the middle.

Forwards: The Attacking Spearhead

The forwards are the ones who score the goals, the players who lead the attack and create scoring opportunities. Brazil is, obviously, famous for its talented attackers.

Luís Fabiano, with jersey number 9, was a central striker. His full name is Luís Fabiano Clemente. He was born on November 8, 1980. Luís Fabiano played for Sevilla, a Spanish club. He was, basically, a prolific goalscorer, known for his finishing ability and movement in the box. His goals were, really, very important for the team.

Robinho, wearing number 11, was a tricky and skillful forward. His full name is Robson de Souza. He was born on January 25, 1984. Robinho played for Santos, a Brazilian club, at the time. He was, you know, known for his dazzling dribbling and flair, often creating chances out of nothing. He was, actually, a very exciting player to watch.

Nilmar, with jersey number 21, was another forward. His full name is Nilmar Honorato da Silva. He was born on June 14, 1984. Nilmar played for Villarreal, a Spanish club. He was, like, a quick and agile striker, good at running in behind defenses and finding the net. His pace was, in fact, quite a threat.

Grafite, wearing number 23, was a powerful striker. His full name is Edinaldo Batista Libânio. He was born on April 2, 1979. Grafite played for VfL Wolfsburg, a German club. He offered a different kind of attacking option, with his physical presence and ability to hold up the ball. It's good to have, sort of, various types of forwards available.

Remembering the 2010 Tournament

The 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa was, you know, a truly memorable event for many reasons. It was the first time the tournament was held on the African continent, making it a very special occasion. The atmosphere was vibrant, and fans from all over the world came together to celebrate football.

Brazil's journey in the tournament was, in a way, followed closely by millions. They played with their usual flair, but also showed a lot of defensive solidity under coach Dunga. The team had some great moments, with players like Kaká and Luís Fabiano showing their class on the big stage. It was, basically, a team that many people believed could go all the way.

While the outcome wasn't what Brazil's fans had hoped for in the end, the squad from 2010 is still remembered. The players who took part left their mark on that World Cup. Looking back, it's interesting to see where these players were in their careers at that point. You can learn more about our main page for other football history discussions, and also check out more historical squads on this page.

Frequently Asked Questions About the 2010 Brazil Squad

People often have questions about past World Cup teams, and the 2010 Brazil squad is no exception. Here are some common inquiries that come up, you know, when discussing that particular team.

Was Neymar in the 2010 Brazil World Cup squad?

No, Neymar was not part of the Brazil squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. He was, in a way, still a very young player at that time, just starting to make a name for himself. He would later become a key player for Brazil in subsequent tournaments. As a matter of fact, he was recently recalled by coach Dorival Junior for upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers, after being out injured for almost a year and a half, showing his continued importance to the national team even today.

Who was Brazil's coach in the 2010 World Cup?

The coach for the Brazil national football team in the 2010 FIFA World Cup was Dunga. He was the one responsible for selecting the 23 players and leading the team throughout the tournament. His announcement of the squad was, basically, a very anticipated event in Brazil. He had, you know, a clear plan for how the team would play.

How did Brazil perform in the 2010 World Cup?

Brazil

Brazil 2018 World Cup roster Flashcards | Memorang

Brazil 2018 World Cup roster Flashcards | Memorang

Brazil World Cup 2025 Roster - Danielle R Connolly

Brazil World Cup 2025 Roster - Danielle R Connolly

The Varsity: BRAZIL !!! World Cup fans ROCK The Varsity!

The Varsity: BRAZIL !!! World Cup fans ROCK The Varsity!

Detail Author:

  • Name : Kade Hagenes III
  • Username : august.mclaughlin
  • Email : agreen@macejkovic.com
  • Birthdate : 1998-12-08
  • Address : 3043 Crystel Inlet Apt. 865 Vallietown, NV 78758-0146
  • Phone : 520-333-7685
  • Company : Wyman PLC
  • Job : Welder
  • Bio : Ullam quasi consequuntur modi quia. Ratione commodi corrupti possimus alias et sed.

Socials

linkedin:

twitter:

  • url : https://twitter.com/lubowitza
  • username : lubowitza
  • bio : Ullam quas commodi quas laudantium ratione dolore. Occaecati officiis et possimus dicta. Incidunt sint sit sed ab expedita illo. Quo voluptas possimus in.
  • followers : 2917
  • following : 1880

instagram:

  • url : https://instagram.com/alubowitz
  • username : alubowitz
  • bio : Et aut iure labore placeat. Est sunt possimus voluptatibus. Iusto maiores fugit cumque.
  • followers : 4565
  • following : 354