Cafu profile
Marcos Evangelista de Moraes, better known as Cafu, was born in Sao Paulo in 1970 and in the intervening 36 years has established himself as one of the world's finest ever defenders.
"Cafu is a leader on the pitch, for this reason he is our skipper."
Carlos Alberto Parreira
Il Pendolino (the express train), as he was christened by the Roma faithful, continues to defy his age and is still a pivotal player for both club and country as he looks for a record third World Cup winners' medal in Germany.
Cafu's career started with his hometown club Sao Paulo in 1988 and setting a marker for the rest of his career, silverware was forthcoming as the Copa Libertadores was delivered in both 1992 and 1993.
A cavalier right back his bursts from one box to another quickly became a trademark and it was such a fine engine and capacity to cover every blade of grass that had clubs across Europe monitoring his situation.
In 1995 he swapped South America for Europe and a spell at Real Zaragoza, although he missed the Cup Winners' Cup final win over Arsenal.
Cafu's sojourn in Spain would, though, prove short lived and in 1996 he moved back to Brazil with Palmeiras - before getting itchy feet again and after just a year he was on the move again as Roma came calling.
In the Eternal City, Cafu's career truly blossomed as he quickly become a hero to the Giallorossi faithful, rewarding their devotion to him by delivering the Serie A title in 2001.
Cafu's international career has seen the player make history by becoming the first to appear in three World Cup finals, winning twice, whilst also holding the record appearances for his country - in excess of 150 heading in to this summer's finals.
A first final appearance came in 1994 when Cafu came on as a substitute against Italy for the injured first choice Jorginho, helping keep a clean sheet in a game best forgot as Brazil eventually won out on penalties.
Four years later and Cafu was an integral part of the Brazil side that won its way to the competition's showpiece before, in the final of the Ronaldo fiasco, they lost 3-0 to France.
In 2002 a freak injury to Emerson saw Cafu handed the captain's armband and thriving with the added responsibility, a 2-0 success over Germany in the final was duly delivered.
2004 marked a great year as Cafu won the Serie A title and Super Cup with Milan, in the process claiming the South American Player of the Year award.
Despite his ageing legs Cafu remains a grand talent and his presence at this summer's competition could yet yield another winners' medal.
