31. Fred
The 29-year-old earned his spot in the CaughtOffside 50 by enjoying his finest ever year for club and country.
The former Lyon striker was by all rights a forgotten man in Europe since moving back to Brazil last summer, but he has proceeded to light up the Brasileiro Serie A with his goals and, crucially, earn his place back in the Selecao.
Acting quickly to prove his critics wrong, who said that he had been flop in France rather than a player who just hadn’t fulfilled his tremendous potential, he bagged five goals in five consecutive starts for the national team in the build-up to the Confederations Cup and carried that form into the tournament proper where he finished as top scorer and champions as Brazil steamrolled Spain in the final 3-0.
Now it is just a question of doing it again this year to ensure himself of a spot in the squad next summer.
FLUMINENSE
Games: 38
Goals: 28
Assists: 10
BRAZIL
Games: 11
Goals: 10
Assists: 3