A-League's Top Ten Brazilians

10. Juninho (Sydney FC)

The diminutive former Middlesbrough, Atletico Madrid and Celtic midfielder arrived in Australia with a profile fit to be an A-League marquee. However, at 34-years-young the A-League didn't see the best of Juninho although there were definitely flashes of his genius.

The former World Cup winner battled injuries during his time in the A-League but there were enough glimpses of his trickery and brilliance to keep A-League crowds happy. Juninho also struck up a good partnership with Alex Brosque, who he alone supplied with five assists. The A-League may not have seen him at his best, but when fit he was top quality.

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8. Daniel (Wellington Phoenix)

In fact, Daniel is one of the club's few remaining foundation players and has racked up some 85 A-League appearances for his side over four years. The left winger, who had his best campaign at the club in his first season with four goals and four assists, has gained New Zealand citizenship and hopes to play for the All Whites one day, emphasising his commitment to Wellington.

7. Alex Terra (Melbourne Heart)

While we are on the topic of highlight reels, Melbourne Heart's nuggety Brazilian forward Alex Terra stole the show last year with a wondrous bicycle kick goal at Perth Glory. How that goal didn't win the A-League Goal of the Season remains one of the mysteries of the universe.

However, former Fluminense man Alex is more than just that one incredible strike, as he's a tireless worker with a neat bit of skill and a good dose of pace making him a handful for plenty of defenders in the A-League. Opinions may be divided on Alex in Victoria, as it was he who scored the winner in the first-ever Melbourne derby too.

6. Reinaldo (Brisbane Roar)

The big frontman certainly divided opinions at Brisbane, but of all the Brazilians to play in the A-League, he's scored the most goals. To be precise, Reinaldo scored 24 goals for Roar during his time in the A-League before heading for a lucrative contract offer in Qatar.

Reinaldo was typically deployed as a target man at Brisbane although he had some flair as well as a killer shot. Most Roar fans will fondly recall his goal in the 2007-08 finals series against Sydney FC when he brought the ball down on the halfway line, before a run down the flank, a piece of skill in the box and then a neat finish from an acute angle. He wasn't always that good, but he was a fine servant for Roar.

5. Bruno Cazarine (Sydney FC)

Cazarine isn't one of those Brazilians signed by an A-League club on the back of watching a DVD of him play. Rather the big striker trialed with the Sky Blues and won them over before penning a one-year deal. The side went onto struggle during the 2010-11 season but he was on their shining lights during the campaign.

In fact, Cazarine proved quite clinical in front of goal and finished the 2010-11 season as the club's topscorer with nine goals. He then embarked on an impressive 2011 Asian Champions League where after a flat start he scored three goals which will have a few Sky Blues feeling optimistic for the upcoming A-League season.

4. Henrique (Brisbane Roar)

The 'Slippery Fish' is a bit of a cult figure at Brisbane Roar and his performance in the 2010-11 A-League Grand Final wouldn't have done his status any harm. Henrique scored Roar's first goal in extra-time to pull it back to 2-1, before netting the winning spotkick in the penalty shootout. He also led the celebrations too.

The pint-sized right winger is a bagful of tricks with a touch of speed, hence the nickname, and while he missed a large part of Roar's successful 2010-11 campaign he turned out to be their joker in the pack during the finals series, in particular the Grand Final where he made the perfect impact. The former Feyenoord man is also still young and hungry too.

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3. Fernando Rech (Adelaide United)

Fernando Rech must be one of the best Brazilians to ever grace the Australian top flight after several years in the National Soccer League with Brisbane Strikers, where he won the 2002 Johnny Warren Medal, and Parramatta Power. The Brazilian then spent two seasons at Adelaide United once the A-League was founded before retiring.

The attacking midfielder may have been into his thirties when he joined the Reds but he still played a key role scoring seven goals as the side won the 2005-06 premiership. He also contributed six goals as the Reds finished runners-up in 2006-07. The Brazilian had flair, but he was also a terrific finisher, with a vicious shot on him. He was a humble lad too and a fine example for other players.

2. Fred (Melbourne Victory, Wellington Phoenix, Melbourne Heart)

Fred was a sensation for the A-League in season two and set the standard for Brazilians, and imports in general, in the competition. He had arrived at Victory alongside two other Brazilians, Alessandro and Claudinho, who both failed to fire. However, Fred was a different story, although he didn't start perfectly after receiving a three-match ban in Round 2 of the 2006-07 season for an off-the-ball elbow on Mark Milligan.

But Fred let his football do the talking to repair his reputation and he proved to be a top-class purchase for Victory with his midfield creativity and vision. Fred finished the 2006-07 regular season on top of the league's goal assist charts with nine as Victory clinched the Premiership.

However, his crowning moment was to come, when Victory routed Adelaide 6-0 in the Grand Final. Archie Thompson got plenty of plaudits for his five-goal haul, but Fred actually provided a staggering four assists in the game. It was indicative of how crucial he was to their success. Soon after the Grand Final he landed a switch to the MLS, but he is back in the A-League now, with Melbourne Heart.

1. Cassio (Adelaide United)

For sheer service, consistency and quality, there's little doubting Cassio has been the A-League's best performing Brazilian import. In fact, the nuggety left-back enjoys the A-League and Adelaide so much he's set to get his Australian citizenship.

The 31-year-old pocket rocket, who loves to get forward down the left flank, has been with the Reds since 2007, winning the Club Champion & Player’s Player of the Year awards in his debut season. Cassio rediscovered his stellar debut season form during the 2010-11 campaign when he provided six assists before winning the Club Champion award again, as well as being named in the A-League All-Star Team.

Rio de Janiero-born Cassio is a solid defender with a genuine attacking threat, while he has also embraced his club which is everything you could want from an import.