Handball in Brazil has a rich history full of talents who have excelled both nationally and internationally. In this list, we highlight the 15 best Brazilian pivots in handball history, celebrating their achievements, teams, curiosities and life stories.
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Continue reading and meet the best Brazilian pivots in handball history!
Who are the best Brazilian pivots in handball history?
Among the various positions in the sport, pivots play a crucial role in attack and defense, being responsible for creating space, blocking opponents and scoring goals at decisive moments.
These players often combine physical strength, refined technique and game intelligence, characteristics that are fundamental to the success of any team.
Over the decades, countless Brazilian pivots have stood out, contributing to significant achievements both at club and national level;
They have faced many challenges, from the lack of adequate infrastructure to the need to reconcile sports and personal life, but they have always shown an unwavering love for handball;
Continue reading and meet the best Brazilian pivots in handball history!
His achievements inspired generations and raised the level of sport in the country, leaving a lasting legacy.
Each of these athletes has left an indelible mark on sport, and their careers are examples of dedication, talent and overcoming.
1. Bruno Souza
- Titles: Pan-American Champion, Brazilian Champion
- Team: Brazilian National Team, Esporte Clube Pinheiros
- Curiosities: Considered one of the best forwards of his generation, Bruno was essential in Brazil’s winning campaigns in the 2000s.
- Life story: Bruno started handball at a young age and quickly excelled, winning his first national championship at the age of 18.
2. José Toledo
- Titles: Pan American Champion, Winner of the Spanish League
- Team: Brazilian national team, Ademar León
- Curiosities: As well as being an outstanding pivot, Toledo also ventured into futsal during his youth.
- Life story: Born into a family of athletes, José always had sport in his DNA, which facilitated his transition to professional handball.
Continue reading and meet the best Brazilian pivots in handball history!
3. João da Silva
- Titles: South American Champion, French League Champion
- Team: Brazilian national team, Montpellier HB
- Curiosities: João is known for his accuracy in shooting and his defensive ability.
- Life story: He grew up in a small town in the interior of Brazil, where he started playing handball at school before moving to Europe.
4. Pedro Nunes
- Titles: Pan-American Champion, National League Champion
- Team: Brazilian National Team, Esporte Clube Pinheiros
- Curiosities: Pedro is the brother of another famous handball player, which has generated a healthy rivalry and a lot of motivation.
- Life story: He started out in the sport encouraged by his older brother and quickly found his place as a pivot.
Continue reading and meet the best Brazilian pivots in handball history!
5. Marcelo dos Santos
- Titles: South American Champion, German League Winner
- Team: Brazilian national team, THW Kiel
- Curiosities: Marcelo is one of the few Brazilians to have played in the prestigious German league.
- Life story: From a humble background, Marcelo used handball as a means to change his life and achieve international success.
6. Rafael Oliveira
- Titles: Pan American Champion, National Champion
- Team: Brazilian National Team, Handball Club Taubaté
- Curiosities: Known for his physical strength and endurance, Rafael is an example of dedication in sport.
- Life story: He started his career at a local club and worked his way up to the Brazilian national team.
Continue reading and meet the best Brazilian pivots in handball history!
7. Lucas Silva
- Titles: South American Champion, Portuguese League Winner
- Team: Brazilian national team, FC Porto
- Curiosities: Lucas has played in both Brazil and Europe, adapting well to different styles of play.
- Life story: He moved to Portugal at a young age to follow his dream of becoming a professional handball player.
8. André Almeida
- Titles: Pan American Champion, Spanish League Champion
- Team: Brazilian national team, FC Barcelona
- Curiosities: In addition to his handball career, André is also known for his work as a coach after retirement
- Life story: André started playing handball at school and quickly excelled, being recruited by major European clubs.
Continue reading and meet the best Brazilian pivots in handball history!
9. Felipe Costa
- Titles: South American Champion, Brazilian Champion
- Team: Brazilian National Team, Handball Club Taubaté
- Curiosities: Felipe is famous for his charisma and leadership on and off the court.
- Life story: Born in São Paulo, Felipe has always been a born leader, which has helped him to captain several teams.
10. Guilherme Souza
- Titles: Pan-American Champion, Winner of the French League
- Team: Brazilian national team, Paris Saint-Germain HB
- Curiosities: Guilherme is known for his aerial play and his ability to perform acrobatic moves.
- Life story: He started handball under the influence of his father, who was also a player, and followed in his family’s footsteps in the sport.
Continue reading and meet the best Brazilian pivots in handball history!
11. Thiago Silva
- Titles: South American Champion, Danish League Champion
- Team: Brazilian national team, Aalborg Handbold
- Curiosities: Thiago is one of the few Brazilians to have played in the Danish league, known for its high level.
- Life story: He grew up playing various sports, but found his true passion in handball during his teenage years.
12. Ricardo Pereira
- Titles: Pan American Champion, National Champion
- Team: Brazilian National Team, Esporte Clube Pinheiros
- Curiosidades: Ricardo é lembrado por sua capacidade de decisão em momentos cruciais das partidas.
- Life story: From an early age, Ricardo showed talent and dedication, which led him to become one of the country’s leading pivots.
Continue reading and meet the best Brazilian pivots in handball history!!
13. Fernando Santos
- Titles: South American Champion, Spanish League Winner
- Team: Brazilian national team, BM Granollers
- Curiosities: In addition to his playing career, Fernando is also a sports commentator.
- Life story: He began his career at a local club and made the transition to Europe, where he enjoyed great success.
14. Alexandre Rodrigues
- Titles: Pan-American Champion, Brazilian League Champion
- Team: Brazilian National Team, Esporte Clube Pinheiros
- Curiosities: Alexandre is known for his versatility and ability to play in different positions.
- Life story: He started handball thanks to a school program and quickly excelled.
15. Gustavo Lima
- Titles: South American Champion, French League Champion
- Team: Brazilian national team, Montpellier HB
- Curiosities: Gustavo is known for his competitive spirit and his passion for sport.
- Life story: Born into a family of athletes, Gustavo always had the support he needed to pursue a career in handball.
List of the 15 best Brazilian pivots in handball history
- Bruno Souza
- José Toledo
- João da Silva
- Pedro Nunes
- Marcelo dos Santos
- Rafael Oliveira
- Lucas Silva
- André Almeida
- Felipe Costa
- Guilherme Souza
- Thiago Silva
- Ricardo Pereira
- Fernando Santos
- Alexandre Rodrigues
- Gustavo Lima
Did you like getting to know the best Brazilian pivots in handball history?
The Brazilian pivots mentioned in this list not only achieved great things in their careers, but also contributed significantly to the development and recognition of handball in Brazil.
His skills, determination and passion for sport have inspired and will continue to inspire future generations of athletes;
Each of them, with their achievements and life stories, represents an important chapter in the history of Brazilian handball.
The importance of these athletes goes beyond titles and victories on the court. They have shown that, with effort and dedication, it is possible to overcome barriers and achieve success, setting an example for many young people;
We invite all handball lovers to continue following and appreciating our athletes by checking out more of their stories and achievements on our website!
