When Cafu kissed the World Cup trophy on June 30, 2002 earlier than lifting it triumphantly into the Yokohama air, Brazil have been wallowing within the glory of a record-extending fifth title.
That evening in Japan was the second time the attacking right-back had received the competitors in simply eight years, having been a part of the aspect who conquered all within the US in 1994.
Synonymous with talent, pace and fervour, an entertaining Seleção aspect have been following within the footsteps of Pele, Zico and Jairzinho by not simply profitable – however profitable superbly.
Quick ahead 22 years and the glowing Brazilian fashion has misplaced its lustre.
An early exit from this summer time’s Copa America and a dearth of star gamers has led to scathing feedback from plenty of high-profile critics.
When Cafu kissed the World Cup trophy on June 30, 2002 earlier than lifting it triumphantly into the Yokohama air, Brazil have been wallowing within the glory of a record-extending fifth title
That evening in Japan was the second time the attacking right-back had received the competitors in simply eight years, having been a part of the aspect who conquered all within the US in 1994
Quick ahead 22 years and the glowing Brazilian fashion has misplaced its lustre
Nationwide icon Ronaldinho courted controversy when he hit out on the present crop after a colorless 1-1 draw towards USA in a pre-tournament pleasant.
‘That is it of us, I’ve had sufficient,’ he stated.
‘It is a unhappy second for many who love Brazilian soccer. It is getting onerous to search out the spirit to observe the video games. That is maybe one of many worst groups in recent times, it has no respectable leaders, solely common gamers for almost all.
‘I have been following soccer since I used to be a child, lengthy earlier than I considered changing into a participant, and I’ve by no means seen a state of affairs as unhealthy as this. Lack of affection for the shirt, lack of grit and crucial of all: soccer.
‘I am going to repeat, our efficiency has been one of many worst issues I’ve ever seen. Such a disgrace. I subsequently declare my resignation. I can’t watch any CONMEBOL Copa America sport, nor have fun any victory.’
Cafu, no much less enterprising and daring than his taking part in accomplice within the glory days, took a barely extra circumspect strategy as he sat down completely with Mail Sport to unpack the newest debacle in his nation’s tumultuous footballing historical past.
Although insistent there may be mild on the finish of the tunnel, the Brazilian icon nonetheless questioned the aspect’s mentality as they slumped to a quarter-final exit towards Uruguay in July.
‘Ronaldinho is likely one of the most wonderful gamers that has existed,’ the 54-year-old stated. ‘On the finish of the day, every opinion must be revered and it’s his personal.
Cafu’s Brazil put in a string of completed shows to seal their fifth title in 2002
The picture of a beaming Cafu holding the World Cup trophy, and changing into the twenty first and most up-to-date participant to win it twice, is the defining one of many match
Synonymous with talent, pace and fervour, an entertaining Seleção aspect have been following within the footsteps of Pele and the remaining
‘On the Copa America, the group positively did not carry out as anticipated.
‘In my view, perhaps one in every of our vulnerabilities is the lack of awareness within the Brazilian group.
‘I believe that might be a weak level: the lack of awareness when you do not have a group, a group the place individuals have memorised who the starters are.
‘I believe you all the time have to enhance one thing, no matter whether or not you win a title.
‘There’s all the time one thing to enhance in relation to defeats, so I believe it’s important to evaluate the factors that did not work in relation to a contest as necessary as this Copa America, and now I believe it is about bettering the mentality of the gamers, to place them within the profitable mentality.’
Any hopes that Brazil would bounce again from this summer time’s setback have been brutally dashed throughout this month’s worldwide break after a defeat to Paraguay made it 4 defeats of their final 5 World Cup qualifiers.
This leaves the five-time champions in severe hazard of not being within the draw for the 2026 version, with the nation mendacity fifth in qualifying and solely above Venezuela on objective distinction.
And it proved one other powerful day for the newest prodigy on the manufacturing line, Endrick, who was hooked off at half-time having additionally missed the win over Ecuador 4 days prior.
Nationwide icon Ronaldinho lately hit out on the present crop after a colorless 1-1 draw towards USA in a pre-tournament pleasant
Although insistent there may be mild on the finish of the tunnel, Cafu nonetheless questioned the aspect’s mentality as they slumped to a quarter-final exit towards Uruguay
Cafu (pictured, prime proper) led all-star groups together with this bunch from 2004
The Brazilian icon with outdated teammate Roberto Carlos (proper) on the 2022 World Cup in Qatar
The 18-year-old centre-forward introduced himself to the watching world in a glittering substitute’s cameo towards England in March, scoring the winner.
He then swapped Palmeiras for Actual Madrid over the summer time the place he has already bagged his first La Liga objective.
Having performed with Rivaldo, Romario, Ronaldo and Ronaldinho, Cafu has witnessed abilities at each stage of their profession – and thinks that Endrick is in the precise place if he desires to match the spectacular Brazilian alumni.
‘Adapting to Actual Madrid is the best factor on the planet,’ he stated. ‘We’re speaking about the very best groups on the planet, it is vitally simple to adapt.
‘There he’ll discover different nice Brazilians, like Rodrigo, Militão, Vini Júnior… they’re gamers who will make it doable for him to adapt as shortly as doable.
‘We’ve loads of religion and hope in Endrick’s expertise. We all know his potential and his potential however it would solely rely upon him.
‘If he performs like he has been taking part in right here in Brazil, he will certainly adapt simply.’
Cafu’s beloved right-back place has been excessive on the footballing agenda of late, with heated debate over who ought to fill the position dominating the narrative across the English nationwide aspect.
The latest loss proved one other powerful day for the newest prodigy on the manufacturing line, Endrick
He has swapped Palmeiras for Actual Madrid over the summer time the place he has already bagged his first La Liga objective
Cafu thinks Endrick will hyperlink up properly with fellow Brazilians in Madrid, together with Vincius Jr (proper)
Trent Alexander-Arnold excelled on the flank in Nations League matches towards Eire and Finland, having toiled within the midfield throughout this summer time’s Euros.
The Liverpool man appears to be like set, ultimately, for a run of video games in his favoured place – with stalwart Kyle Walker reaching the twilight years of a stellar profession.
Cafu, many individuals’s selection within the right-back berth for his or her all-time XI, weighed in on England’s choice complications.
‘You might be fairly well-stocked in that place,’ he stated.
‘Walker is an incredible participant and probably the greatest right-backs on the planet. He has the pace, he has the energy.
‘He is not petrified of going ahead to assault but in addition he defends in an incredible method.
‘Alexander-Arnold is an incredible participant as properly so these two are the very best right-backs in England proper now.’
Some experiments take time to bear fruit – however the Trent to midfield gambit shrivelled up and died after simply 145 minutes of tepid Euros soccer.
Cafu, many individuals’s selection within the right-back berth for his or her all-time XI, weighed in on England’s choice complications
He additionally really helpful Trent Alexander-Arnold keep at right-back and never transfer to midfield
![He added: '[Kyle] Walker is an amazing player and one of the best right-backs in the world'](https://i0.wp.com/i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/09/18/16/89826675-13747195-image-m-65_1726671912528.jpg?resize=634%2C831&ssl=1 "89826675 13747195 image m 65 1726671912528")
He added: ‘[Kyle] Walker is an incredible participant and probably the greatest right-backs on the planet’
Whereas his vary of passing and wells of vitality appear to make him an ideal match for a quarterback position, Alexander-Arnold regarded much more comfy with take heed to roam on the precise and created 5 possibilities towards Finland, helping Harry Kane’s opener.
Cafu reckons he ought to keep there.
‘It is humorous as a result of I began the opposite method spherical,’ he stated. ‘I began in midfield after which moved to the precise.
‘However I would not advocate as a result of he has all of the expertise to be a improbable right-back and really the world proper now wants extra right-backs as a result of it is a place that does not have many wonderful gamers and he is an incredible soccer participant.
‘So he ought to deal with that as a result of he has the expertise and likewise due to the shortage that that place has in soccer at the moment.’
All this speak of a marauding Trent acquired the Brazilian icon desirous about his personal glory days galloping down the wing.
In a profession full of achievements, together with a Champions League trophy with Milan and Serie A titles with two completely different golf equipment, the picture of a beaming Cafu holding the World Cup trophy, and changing into the twenty first and most up-to-date participant to win it twice, is the defining one.
Reflecting on that wonderful day in Japan, the Brazilian stated: ‘To have a look at the World Cup trophy after reaching the ultimate in 1998 with your individual nation and having had the chance to win it’s great, and as captain it is even higher.
‘Being world champion shouldn’t be simple and there I used to be being world champion for the second time, as captain, so it was an inexplicable emotion.’
In an period full of a number of the sport’s all-time greats, Cafu needed to work for each winner’s medal as he turned out towards Serie A’s most interesting within the league’s golden period.
However who was the very best he confronted?
‘I’ve performed towards nice strikers, I’ve performed towards Ronaldo, I’ve performed towards Bebeto, I’ve performed towards Romário, I’ve performed towards [Andriy] Shevchenko, [Filippo] Inzaghi,’ he stated.
Cafu loved a profession full of achievements, together with Serie A titles with Rome and Milan
Cafu (pictured, fourth from proper) poses with AC Milan’s president Silvio Berlusconi (centre) and the Champions League trophy in 2007
![Cafu said: 'Being world champion is not easy and there I was being world champion [in 2002] for the second time, as captain, so it was an inexplicable emotion'](https://i0.wp.com/i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/09/18/16/89826147-13747195-image-m-74_1726672041485.jpg?resize=634%2C698&ssl=1 "89826147 13747195 image m 74 1726672041485")
Cafu stated: ‘Being world champion shouldn’t be simple and there I used to be being world champion [in 2002] for the second time, as captain, so it was an inexplicable emotion’
The most effective participant he confronted in his profession? Why, it is Ronaldinho (proper) after all
‘However I’ve performed towards a man known as Ronaldinho Gaúcho, and I am going to inform you that man gave me a tough time.
‘I believe Ronaldinho Gaúcho was the toughest participant I’ve confronted towards in my profession.’
Oh what the Seleção would give to have that pair again and terrorising defences.
Cafu was talking after asserting the launch of recent international clothes model Makakooo which is devoted to combating racism inside soccer.
