Rising Soccer Player 2012 - Oscar, Brazilian footballer

Oscar dos Santos Emboaba Júnior (born 9 September 1991), commonly known as Oscar, is a Brazilian footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Premier League club Chelsea and the Brazilian national team.

Oscar began his career at Sâo Paulo, where he won the Brazilian Serie A in 2008. In 2009, he went to court against the club due to irregularities in his contract. After a series of controversies he left for Internacional, where he spent the next three years of his career.

His displays for club and country caught the eye of Barclays Premier League clubs Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur in 2012, and by the 9th July it appeared that Chelsea had won the race. About 2 weeks later Chelsea confirmed the deal, and Oscar was handed the number 11 shirt, following on from Chelsea legend Didier Drogba.

Oscar is a Brazil international and has represented his country at U-20 level, at the 2012 London Olympics and at senior level. On 20 August 2011, Oscar scored three goals in the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup final win against Portugal, becoming the first player to score a hat-trick in the FIFA U-20 World Cup final. Oscar later described his performances at the tournament as being a "gateway to the senior side". He earned his first cap for the national team against Argentina. His first goal also came against Argentina in a 3-4 defeat in June 2012.

His playing style and ability have drawn comparison to Brazil international Kaká and Germany international Mesut Özil.

Soccer Star - Bebeto, Former Brazilian Footballer

José Roberto Gama de Oliveira, known as 'Bebeto', (born February 16, 1964 in Salvador, Brazil) is a former football forward, a World Champion for Brazil in the 1994 World Cup. In the 2010 Brazilian General Elections he was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Rio de Janeiro representing the Democratic Labour Party.

Bebeto started his career in 1983 with Vitória and would go on to play for Flamengo, Vasco da Gama, Cruzeiro and Botafogo in Brazil, Deportivo La Coruña and Sevilla in Spain, Toros Neza in Mexico, Kashima Antlers in Japan, and Al Ittihad in Saudi Arabia, finally retiring in 2002.

For Brazil, Bebeto scored 39 goals in 75 caps after making his debut in 1985. He played in three World Cups: 1990, 1994, and 1998. In 1994, he was one of the best players of the tournament, scoring three goals for the eventual champions, and then repeated the feat four years later as Brazil finished second.

Soccer Star - Careca, Brazilian former footballer

Antônio de Oliveira Filho (born 5 October 1960), better known as Careca (Portuguese pronunciation: [kaˈɾɛkɐ]), is a Brazilian former footballer. During his career Careca played for several clubs, he is most famous for his time with Italian side Napoli and also his contributions to the Brazilian national football team.

Careca first broke into the national side of Brazil during 1982, but was forced to miss the 1982 World Cup in Spain due to an injury. His place in the squad for that tournament was taken by Serginho Chulapa.

It was during the 1986 World Cup, in Mexico, that Careca really established himself in world football. He ended the tournament, during which Brazil were memorably eliminated by France at the quarter-final stage, with five goals, placing him second in the Golden Boot rankings behind England’s Gary Lineker. In 1990, Careca was part of the Brazilian team that was defeated by Argentina in the second round. He scored two goals in the tournament. His last cap was earned in August 1993.

Soccer Star - Dunga, former Brazilian football defensive midfielder

Carlos Caetano Bledorn Verri (born October 31, 1963 in Ijuí, Rio Grande do Sul), commonly known as Dunga, is a former Brazilian football defensive midfielder and a World Champion for Brazil in the 1994 World Cup. Dunga coached the national team in the 2010 FIFA World Cup and was dismissed by the Brazilian Football Confederation following the team's elimination in the quarter finals.

His nickname is derived from the Portuguese translation of Dopey, a dwarf from the Snow White tale, and was given to him by his uncle due to his short height during his childhood. It was believed that he would be a short adult and the nickname remained in use even after he grew up and became taller. He is of Italian and German descent.

 

Soccer Star - Bruno César, Brazilian football second striker

Bruno César Zanaki, usually called Bruno César (born 3 November 1988 in Santa Bárbara d'Oeste, São Paulo) is a Brazilian football second striker, that currently plays for Benfica. He scored his first Champions League goal on 27 September 2011.

Soccer Star - Roberto Carlos, Brazilian Footballer

Roberto Carlos da Silva Rocha (born 10 April 1973 in Garça, São Paulo, Brazil), more commonly known simply as Roberto Carlos, is a player/manager who last played as a defensive midfielder for Russian Premier League club Anzhi Makhachkala, where he was also club captain. He currently works with Anzhi as a coach and is not currently registered with the league as a player. Carlos has spent most of his career as a left wingback but started his career in Brazil as a forward. He started playing for Brazil in 1992 and was a member of the Brazil national team in three World Cups, helping the team reach the final in 1998 and win the 2002 tournament. He is also known for his running speed and trademark free kicks with power and curve.

He previously played for Spanish La Liga club Real Madrid for 11 years, making over 370 appearances and winning four leagues, three UEFA Champions League trophies, and two Intercontinental Cups. Roberto Carlos is also one of only fifteen players to have played more than 100 matches in the Champions League. He finished second to countryman Ronaldo in the 1997 FIFA World Player of the Year award poll and was named as one of the top 125 greatest living footballers by Pelé in March 2004.

Soccer Star - Cafu, Brazilian footballer

Marcos Evangelista de Moraes (born 7 June 1970), better known as Cafu, is a former Brazilian footballer. He is the most internationally capped male Brazilian player.Cafu was named by Pelé as one of the top 125 greatest living footballers in March 2004. He is best known for his tireless overlapping runs.

One of six children, Cafu was raised in the Jardim Irene favela of São Paulo. He was an average student as he soon discovered his love for football and preferred playing over studying. At the age of seven, he was able to attend a football academy and soon moved up to the junior sides of Nacional-SP, Portuguesa and Itaquaquecetuba. He also played futsal for two years.

In the early 1980s, he could not get his foot in the door as he was rejected from the youth squads of Corinthians, Palmeiras, Santos, Atlético Mineiro, and Portuguesa. It was not until 1988 that he made the youth squad of hometown club São Paulo, and subsequently won the Copa São Paulo youth tournament that year, but he warmed the bench the next season as São Paulo won the 1989 Campeonato Paulista.

Soccer Star - Romário, Brazilian Footballer

Romário de Souza Faria (born January 29, 1966 in Jacarezinho, Brazil), better known simply as Romário (Portuguese pronunciation: [ʁoˈmaɾiu]), is a former footballer who played striker, manager and current politician. He helped the Brazil national team win the 1994 FIFA World Cup and was one of the most prolific strikers in the world.

He was selected the FIFA World Player of the Year and won the World Cup Golden Ball in 1994, chosen as forward on FIFA Dream Team and named as one of the Top 125 greatest living footballers as part of FIFA's 100th anniversary celebration. He is also known as one of the very few strikers to surpass the mark of 1,000 goals.