21 Facts About Cafu

Cafu is the most-capped player for the Brazil national team with 142 appearances.

At club level, Cafu won several domestic and international titles while playing in Brazil, Spain and Italy; he is best known for his spells at Sao Paulo, Roma and AC Milan, teams with which he made history, although he played for Zaragoza, Juventude and Palmeiras throughout his career.

In 1994, Cafu was crowned South American Footballer of the Year, and in 2004, was named by Pele in the FIFA 100 list of the world's greatest living players.

Cafu was additionally named to the FIFPro World XI in 2005, and in 2020 was included in the Ballon d'Or Dream Team.

Cafu represented his nation in four FIFA World Cups between 1994 and 2006, and is the only player in history to have appeared in three World Cup finals, both overall and consecutive, winning the 1994 and 2002 editions of the tournament, the latter as his team's captain where he lifted the World Cup trophy.

One of six children, Cafu was raised in the Jardim Irene favela of Sao Paulo.

Cafu had soon anchored onto the first team, as Sao Paulo won back-to-back Copa Libertadores and Intercontinental Cup in 1992 and 1993.

Cafu got his wish, as Milan were drawn against Bayern Munich.

Milan's successful Champions League campaign saw Cafu finally pick up a long-awaited winners' medal, in a rematch of the 2005 final.

Cafu is a member of the AC Milan and the Roma Hall of Fames.

Cafu was accused along with several other Serie A players, including Roma teammate Fabio Junior and Gustavo Bartelt, countryman and later Milan teammate Dida, of using a forged passport in their attempt to dodge regulations regarding the number of non-European players allowed on Italian club rosters.

Cafu is the most-capped Brazilian men's player of all time with 142 appearances, including a record 20 World Cup games.

Cafu has won two World Cups in 1994 and 2002, as well as being the only player to participate in three World Cup final matches.

Cafu held the record of winning the most matches in World Cups with 15, before being surpassed by Germany's Miroslav Klose in the 2014 World Cup.

Cafu earned his first cap in a friendly against Spain on 12 September 1990, and played sparingly for Brazil in the early 1990s, making the 1994 World Cup roster as a substitute.

Cafu appeared in the final against Italy, following an injury to Jorginho in the 22nd minute.

Brazil endured a rocky qualification for the 2002 tournament, during which Cafu came under heavy criticism from coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo, who stripped him of the team captaincy after he was sent off in a qualifier against Paraguay.

However, Emerson missed the cut after he dislocated his shoulder in training, which allowed Cafu to regain the armband.

Cafu was one of only a few Brazil players who spoke to the press in the midst of a hailstorm of criticism from Brazilian fans and media alike following the team's return home.

Cafu nonetheless expressed interest in participating in the 2010 World Cup; however he did not, as he retired completely from football in 2008.

Cafu is separated from his wife Regina Feliciano, who he married in 1987.