That squad had enormous star power. Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Kaká and Adriano gave Brazil a front line that felt almost unfair before the tournament began. Yet World Cups rarely reward fame alone.
In retrospect, 2006 was less an ending than a turning point. Several leading names were still major figures afterward, but the idea of that side became bigger than what it achieved.
Ronaldo left Germany having reinforced his status as one of the great World Cup forwards. He later played for Milan and Corinthians, then moved into ownership and executive life after retirement.
Kaká arguably had the cleanest post-2006 trajectory. He went on to win football’s top individual honours, remained one of the sport’s most marketable figures and has since taken on ambassadorial and development roles.
Ronaldinho stayed a global icon long after his peak years. His later career mixed club football, exhibitions and commercial projects, while his fame never really faded even as his competitive career wound down.
The rest of the group scattered into very different second acts.
That is why the 2006 squad still fascinates. It was a brilliant team that fell short, then splintered into a wide range of football lives. The next time Brazil heads into a World Cup under heavy expectation, this generation will inevitably be revisited again.