Cafu was the most-capped player in Brazil’s history and the finest attacking right-back of his generation. A tireless overlapper who married relentless stamina with defensive discipline, he patrolled the touchline for club and country across two decades, contributing goals and assists while rarely neglecting his duties at the back.
He appeared in three consecutive World Cup finals and won the tournament twice, lifting the trophy as captain in 2002. In Europe he starred for Roma, where he was central to a Serie A title, before joining Milan and adding a Champions League crown. Earlier, at home, he had shone for São Paulo and Palmeiras.
Ever-smiling and impossibly fit, Cafu redefined what was asked of a full-back, treating the entire right flank as his personal domain and setting a template for the modern wing-back.