CAFU

Cafu is undoubtedly one of the star players of the Brazilian squad. The legendary Brazilian captain Cafu might get his name in record books as the only player to play in four FIFA World Cup Finals. Other credentials he can win are that of the Brazil player with most appearances in FIFA World Cup matches and the only captain to lift the FIFA World Cup on two occasions (if Brazil wins the XVIIIth FIFA World Cup Championship).

The football legend Pele placed him among the top 125 greatest living footballers in March 2004.

He was passionate about football from his childhood itself. He was part of a football academy at the age of seven. He has also played for junior sides of National AC, Portuguesa de Desportos and Itaquaquecetuba AC.

He was perseverant and struggled a lot to secure a place in Sao Paulo in 1988. In 1995 Cafu signed for the Spanish Club Real Zargoza. With them he won the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup.

He joined the Italian Serie A side AS Roma in 1997. Cafu was a firm favourite with the Giallorossi fans. In 2001, he won the Serie A title with Roma.

Cafu made his international debut against Spain in September 1990. Later Cafu got the opportunity to be a part of the Brazil squad in the 1994 FIFA World Cup in the USA. He got the place in the team as a back-up for Jorginho. In the final against Italy he came into prominence. He replaced Jorginho in the first half and Brazil eventually defeated the Azzurri 3-2.

With this success Cafu's career got a boost. Cafu became an integral part of the Brazilian team. He was a part of the team that won the CONMEBOL Copa America in 1997 and 1999. His team also reached the FIFA World Cup Final in 1998 in France. Cafu first got the captainship of Brazil when at the start of Korea/Japan 2002, Emerson, the then skipper, was injured and ruled out. Cafu proved to be a capable captain and Brazil won the tournament for a record fifth time, beating Germany 2-0.

Cafu is definitely a player to watch out this season