Between 1994 and 2005 Brazil exported football players to foreign clubs valued at over US$ 1 billion, reported the O Estado de S. Paulo. T newspaper. The 2005 value was actually 55 percent higher than 2004, partially a result of the sale of young star Robinho from Santos to Spain's Real Madrid at an estimated figure of US$ 18 million. However 2006, a World Cup year, also shows an interesting surge with football player "exports" representing US$25 million for Brazil, according to a report from the Central Bank.
Brazil Football Confederation statistics confirm that Brazil is the largest market for overseas clubs looking for promising football stars at relatively cheap prices. In 2005 a total of 804 Brazilian football players were transferred overseas, a slight drop from 2004 with 857. Of that number 40 went to Japan; 20 to Germany; 15 to Saudi Arabia; 14 to Venezuela; 12 to the United States; 9 to Iran; 7 to Austria; 6 to Bosnia-Herzegovina; 5 to China; 5 to Hong Kong and 3 to Angola with the rest to other countries in all continents.
Brazil Football Confederation statistics confirm that Brazil is the largest market for overseas clubs looking for promising football stars at relatively cheap prices. In 2005 a total of 804 Brazilian football players were transferred overseas, a slight drop from 2004 with 857. Of that number 40 went to Japan; 20 to Germany; 15 to Saudi Arabia; 14 to Venezuela; 12 to the United States; 9 to Iran; 7 to Austria; 6 to Bosnia-Herzegovina; 5 to China; 5 to Hong Kong and 3 to Angola with the rest to other countries in all continents.