Cafu
Right Back · Roma · Brazil
About Cafu
Cafu — Marcos Evangelista de Morais — is the greatest right-back in football history. He is the only player to have appeared in three consecutive World Cup finals (1994, 1998, 2002) and lifted the trophy twice. His energy, consistency, and attacking contribution from right-back were unprecedented. He combined with Roberto Carlos to give Brazil arguably the greatest pair of full-backs ever assembled.
Cafu's story
São Paulo to the World
Cafu grew up in poverty in Itaquaquecetuba, a suburb of São Paulo (BRA), and joined São Paulo FC's academy as a teenager. His extraordinary physical endurance was apparent from the start — coaches said he could run an entire match at full pace without tiring. He helped São Paulo FC win three consecutive Copa Libertadores titles in the early 1990s.
Three Finals
Cafu played in the 1994 World Cup final (winning), the 1998 final (losing), and the 2002 final (winning) — the only player ever to appear in three consecutive finals. He lifted the trophy as captain in 2002, one of football's most joyful moments. His combination with Roberto Carlos at left-back gave Brazil the greatest pair of attacking full-backs in history.
European Greatness
At Roma he helped deliver their first Serie A title in 18 years in 2001. At Milan (ITA) he won the Champions League in 2007, aged 36 — contributing vital defensive energy in the knockout rounds. He retired in 2008 having played across four decades and three continents.
Did you know?
- 🏆 He is the only player in history to appear in three consecutive World Cup finals — 1994, 1998, and 2002 — winning twice (1994, 2002).
- ⚡ Coaches who worked with him at Roma said he could cover more ground in a 90-minute match than most players could in training — his stamina was simply inhuman.
- 👨👩👧👦 Married Regiane; they have three children and settled in São Paulo. His son Danilo died of a heart attack during a football kick-around in 2015, a tragedy that deeply affected the family.
- 💪 He played his final Champions League match aged 36 — helping AC Milan beat Liverpool 2–1 in the 2007 final in Athens.
- 🌍 He is the only player to have won a Serie A title with two different Italian clubs (Roma in 2001, Milan in 2004).
- 📊 He made 142 appearances for Brazil — the most by any right-back in the history of the national team.
- ⚽ Despite being a full-back, Cafu provided double figures in assists in multiple seasons at Roma — his crossing and attacking contribution was midfielder-level.
- 🌟 Pelé named him in the FIFA 100, calling him "the most complete full-back I have ever seen" — high praise from the man who played with him at Santos.
- 🎽 His trademark goal celebration — running to the corner flag with his arms wide — became one of football's iconic images across three World Cup tournaments.
Honours
- FIFA World Cup x2: Brazil (1994, 2002)
- Serie A x2: AS Roma (2001), AC Milan (2004)
- UEFA Champions League: AC Milan (2007)
- FIFA 100: Named by Pelé as one of 125 greatest living players
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